Bill to prohibit gag clauses put on pharmacies moves through congress – By OAN Newsroom (oann.com) / Sept 8 2018
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pushing back against drug middlemen as a way to lower prescription drug prices.
A bill targeting the use of so-called “gag clauses” passed a mark-up hearing Friday by the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation would allow pharmacies to tell customers if it would be cheaper to buy a drug out of pocket instead of getting it through insurance.
The bill’s sponsor in the senate, Susan Collins (R-Maine), says gag clauses were responsible for patients overpaying by about $135 million a year.
“An example of that was a customer who had a co-pay of $43 for a common cholesterol drug where if she had not used her insurance she would have paid less than half, $19,” said Sen. Collins.
Supporters of the bill say the so-called gag clauses boost prices and discourage patients from getting the help they need. A version of the bill passed the senate earlier this week.
http://www.oann.com/bill-to-prohibit-gag-clauses-put-on-pharmacies-moves-through-congress/
