Don’t Keep Patients in the Dark on Drug Prices: Bipartisan Legislation to End “Gag Clauses” Passes Energy and Commerce Committee
***Press Release***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2018 | Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-225-4865 |
Don't Keep Patients in the Dark on Drug Prices: Bipartisan Legislation to End "Gag Clauses" Passes Energy and Commerce Committee
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee, joined a bipartisan set of lawmakers to introduce legislation that would prohibit "gag clause" provisions. Right now, some Pharmacy Benefit Managers include contract provisions (known as "gag clauses") that prohibit pharmacists from advising patients on ways to purchase their medications for less. With families across our Nation concerned about soaring prescription drug prices, this legislation would end these restrictive and anti-consumer, anti-patient provisions.
To ensure professional pharmacists can provide comprehensive pricing information to patients, Rep. Doggett introduced the Know the Lowest Price Act (H.R. 6144) and the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (H.R. 6143) some time ago. These bills are supported by the American Medical Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drugs Stores, and the American Psychiatric Association. Companion legislation introduced by Senators Collins and Stabenow are being considered in the Senate. Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation combining Rep. Doggett's bills into one bill, The Know the Cost Act, H.R. 6733, which was introduced last Friday with 9 bipartisan original sponsors. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) offered the below statement on this progress:
"Pharmacists should not be restricted from telling patients of a way to purchase their medications for less. This very modest proposal combines two bills, which I introduced some time ago, into one measure that can now become law. We will now have an enforcement mechanism that will help ensure transparency at the pharmacy counter so some consumers, burdened with medication costs, can now access information to select the least expensive alternative."
Follow Lloyd Doggett
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett | Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:replloyddoggett