Bill > H1133

This bill aims to ensure prescription drug cost transparency and affordability. It does this by: 1. Defining key terms like "brand name drug," "biosimilar," and "generic drug" to establish a common framework. 2. Expanding the Health Policy Commission's membership to include representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit managers, and consumer organizations. 3. Requiring the Commission to review prescription drugs with high costs or significant price increases and establish upper payment limits to ensure affordability for consumers, including the uninsured. 4. Directing the Center for Health Information and Analysis to study pharmaceutical pricing factors, including manufacturer research and development costs, marketing expenses, and the impact of pharmacy benefit manager practices on drug costs. 5. Empowering the Attorney General to monitor and investigate pharmaceutical cost trends and potential anti-competitive behavior. 6. Prohibiting health plans and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting pharmacies from informing consumers about lower-cost alternatives to their prescription drugs. 7. Establishing a system for the MassHealth program to negotiate supplemental rebates with drug manufacturers to control pharmaceutical spending. 8. Requiring pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed and regulated in the state to ensure transparency and accountability. Overall, the bill aims to increase transparency, promote competition, and ensure prescription drugs remain affordable for consumers in Massachusetts.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1133