OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dozens of pharmacists and pharmacy students packed into a legislative hearing Wednesday to voice concerns over a cost-saving proposal to change the prescription drug benefit plan for thousands of state and education employees in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board approved a change to its prescription drug plan. The change provides cost savings for members who use in-network pharmacies and a mail-order service for certain maintenance medications, which are drugs taken each day, such as for diabetes or high blood pressure. The board projects the change will save the system and its members an estimated $15 million annually, said OSEEGIB Administrator Frank Wilson.

"This is a cost-savings strategy that is commonly used by public and private-sector large health plans," Wilson said.

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