The Californian behind Issue 2 — the prescription drug price relief proposal on Ohio's Nov. 7 ballot — has only biting words for his opponent — Big Pharma.

Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, talked about the pharmaceutical industry's "big lie" in a conference call with Ohio reporters on Wednesday.

The TV ad campaign waged by the industry-funded Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue falsely suggests that he and his nonprofit would profit financially from passage of Issue 2, Weinstein said.

"That's been the primary basis for the shameful, sleazy campaign financed by dark money" provided by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the trade group representing drug makers, Weinstein said.

He also labeled some drug makers as "the same people who got Ohioans hooked on opioids in the first place." Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has sued five drug companies, alleging they violated laws in peddling opioids to create addicts and prop up profits.

Weinstein also called out pharmaceutical companies for refusing to disclose their contributions to oppose Issue 2 and challenged any of their chief executive officers to debate the merits of the issue. The Ohio Elections Commission is hearing a complaint on Thursday that anti-Issue 2 forces have illegally failed to disclose their contributors.

He estimates that drug companies will spend up to $60 million, or more, to beat back Issue 2. "Obviously, we're the underdog, David vs. Goliath, and they are going to spend as much money as it takes." Weinstein's nonprofit is spending millions on the pro-Issue 2 campaign.

"This should be should be a debate between principles — not hired guns," he said. "The CEOs of these companies know they cannot lean on the issue of drug pricing, so they have to change the issue."

Dale Butland, spokesman for Ohioans Against Issue 2, said, ""Lies? Since Issue 2 would neither reduce drug costs for consumers nor save money for taxpayers, forget Burger King — Mr. Weinstein's campaign is now the home of the Whopper. Which is why newspaper editorials all across the state ... are urging Ohioans to vote 'no' on Issue 2."

If approved by voters, Issue 2 would affect about 4 million Ohioans. It would require Medicaid, the state-run health care program for low-income Ohioans, and other state agencies and programs to pay no more for prescription drugs than paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which receives a 24-percent discount from drug companies. Claims of savings total about $350 million annually.

Opponents and the drug industry claim such a scheme would be difficult to implement and could backfire, causing drug shortages and higher prices for other consumers.

Weinstein said his AIDS nonprofit is recognized as the largest of its kind in the world and serves more than 820,000 clients internationally, including 17,000 in Ohio. "We won't be making any money off this ... All dollars earned go back to our mission," he said.

"Voters in Ohio should know the ads they are seeing are being paid for by the money they pay for drugs," he said.

Ohio's Issue 2 is nearly identical to one defeated by 53 percent of the vote in California last year. Big Pharma spent $110 million on the campaign; Weinstein's nonprofit spent $19 million.

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow