Halting the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs needs to be accomplished, said statewide Democratic leaders during a Tuesday stop in Austin.

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch and House DFL leader Tom Pugh made their comments as part of a five-city statewide tour that also included stops in Alexandria, St. Paul, Mankato and Rochester.

Hatch said 17 percent of the healthcare monies are spent toward prescription drugs. Because many senior citizens are on some sort of prescription drug, Hatch said this group -- in which many are on fixed incomes -- is likely the most affected.

"There are senior citizens in this state who have had to choose between food and their prescriptions," Hatch said.

Pugh and Hatch said it's possible that prescription drug companies could offer the same prices to consumers as it offers to the state of Minnesota for government programs. The two said that similar legislation has been made into law in Maine and Vermont.

"Why we're here today is to talk about the future," Pugh said. "We must solve this problem."

Hatch said pharmecutical companies continue to lobby legislators to keep prescription drug prices from going down. However, consumers should not be the ones suffering, he said, and legislators must work together to find a solution.

"There's more money in this than anything," Hatch said. "It shouldn't be a partisan issue."

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com