There is a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board is a body politic and corporate and is an instrumentality of the State. The Board is an independent unit of State government. The exercise by the Board of its authority under this subtitle is an essential governmental function. The purpose of the Board is to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products.