MA S733

Bill

Relative to consumer protection for prescription drug purchases

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
11/07/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation relative to consumer protection for prescription drug purchases. Health Care Financing.

AI Summary

This bill amends Chapter 175 of the General Laws to require pharmacists to inform customers of the current retail price for prescription medications and to charge customers the lower of the retail price or their cost-sharing amount under their health plan. The bill defines key terms such as "registered pharmacist," "cost-sharing," and "pharmacy retail price." It prohibits contractual obligations from preventing pharmacists from complying with these requirements and states that any violations would be considered an unfair or deceptive practice under the state's consumer protection law. The bill also protects pharmacists from being penalized by the Board of Registration in Pharmacy or third parties for failing to comply with these provisions.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (3)

Diana Dizoglio (D), Jim Hawkins (D), James Welch (D),

Last Action

New draft substituted, see S2397 (on 11/14/2019)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S733

(10 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S733
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S733.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1931	Relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency	Accompanied a new draft, see H4641	Similar To
H332	Providing security to consumers for purchases from certain vendors	Accompanied a study order, see H5043	Similar To
H4017	Relative to hospital access to discounted prescription drug prices	Signed by the Governor, Chapter 82 of the Acts of 2019	Similar To
H54	Enhancing consumer protection with respect to unclaimed property	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H959	Requiring continual coverage of prescription medication	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
S1310	Relative to smoking cessation agents	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S1352	Establishing a special commission to study and recommend improvements in the delivery of prescription drug benefits for the citizens of the Commonwealth	Accompanied a study order, see S2547	Similar To
S1936	Promoting net neutrality and consumer protection	Accompanied a study order, see S2552	Similar To
S2397	Relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency	Reprinted as amended, see S2409	Replaced by
S2409	Relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency	Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To

Bill > S733

MA S733

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary