The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Pharmaceutical makers, whose protests kept a proposal for prescription drug discounts off this November's statewide ballot, are fighting county-by-county against a petition drive aiming for the 2004 election.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is challenging petition signatures in 41 of Ohio's 88 counties - based on details such as penmanship or leaving "township road" off a street name in an address.

If a county elections board rules against the Albany, N.Y.-based trade association, it goes to court, the Columbus Dispatch reported Sunday

The drive is sponsored by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs, which includes unions, the Ohio chapter of AARP, the Ohio Council of Churches, the Ohio Nurses' Association and the League of Women Voters.

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On the Net:

Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: http://www.rxcoalition.info/

PhRMA: http://www.phrma.org/