WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act by a vote of 98-2. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement:
“Iowans, and all Americans, deserve to know the cost of their prescriptions and pharmacists should have the ability to share that information prior to purchase. As a result of this legislation, we will see more transparency in prescription drug costs, and Americans will pay less for their prescription drugs. This is a win-win for Iowa consumers and pharmacists.”
The Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act will ban the inclusion of pharmacy “gag-clauses,” which are contract provisions imposed by health insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers that restrict pharmacists from providing certain pricing information to patients. For example, a prescription drug might cost less by paying out-of-pocket rather than through insurance, but under the “gag-clause” pharmacists are prohibited from disclosing that information.
whoops, said that wrong, my insurance company, not the drug company told the pharmacy that I couldn’t have it. between the drug company and the insurance company they take over the industry and over ride the dr
Insurance company’s do that all the time. Only the rich can afford the best treatment and medications.
drug companies run the pharmacies and also tell them at what price they have to sell their drugs to us. I had a prescription from my dr for a drug to help my condition, the drug company told the pharmacy that I could not have it. now where does a drug company be able to over ride my dr’s prescription?? Now that’s power.