Washington D.C. unanimously passed a measure that would make it illegal to sell prescription drugs at "excessive prices". (Don't worry, illicit drugs will still be available at street value.)

The sponsor of the drug bill, David A. Catania (I-At Large), said the legislation merely allows the city to exercise its broad powers to regulate trade in the District. He said the purpose is not to get the city into the drugmaking business but to encourage drug companies to "right-size their pricing policies."

Under the bill, drug prices in the District would be compared to prices in Europe, Canada, Australia and other countries to determine whether drug companies were charging District residents excessively. A resident who felt gouged could bring a lawsuit. In addition to imposing damages, a judge who found a company in violation of the provision could authorize the District to license a specific drug to an alternative manufacturer.

What manufacturer would have the cajones to illegally produce another company's patented drug, just because some D.C. judge said it was okay? When certain prescription drugs are no longer available in D.C., I wonder if residents will opt for traveling to Virginia or Maryland to buy our expensive drugs, or if they'll go all the way to Canada or Europe.

Hopefully next week the District will pass a similar law prohibiting the sale of gasoline at "excessive prices".