After the state auditor general office’s issued a scathing report Friday on the Michigan Department of Corrections’ pharmaceutical costs, state Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement:

“The auditor general’s report could not be more timely. As we balance the state’s $1.5 billion budget deficit, identifying efficiencies in state spending is a top priority.

“As chair of the Senate Corrections subcommittee, I find the department’s spending on brand-name psychotropic drugs particularly indefensible. The audit found that on these types of drugs, Michigan’s average cost per prisoner was $22.34 per month — more than triple that of the next closest state.

“We look forward to hearing from the department on its solutions during our Tuesday subcommittee meeting. This is especially important because this is the second time in recent years that the auditor general has highlighted this issue.”

The Senate Corrections subcommittee hearing will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Senate Hearing Room of the Boji Tower, located at 124 West Allegan St., Lansing.