Bill > S706

This bill aims to ensure prescription drug cost transparency and affordability. Key provisions include: 1. Defining key terms like "biosimilar," "brand name drug," "generic drug," "pharmacy benefit manager," and "pharmaceutical manufacturing company." 2. Expanding the membership of the Health Policy Commission to include representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care consumer organizations. 3. Requiring the Health Policy Commission to review certain high-cost or rapidly increasing prescription drugs and potentially establish upper payment limits that apply to all purchasers and payers in the state. 4. Establishing an evidence-based outreach and education program to promote the therapeutic and cost-effective utilization of prescription drugs for health care professionals. 5. Granting the Attorney General additional authority to monitor and investigate prescription drug cost trends, as well as potential unfair competition or anticompetitive behavior by pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers. 6. Requiring pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical companies to provide detailed information to the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis to support the analysis of drug pricing and cost factors. 7. Prohibiting health plans and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting pharmacies from informing consumers about lower-cost alternatives to their prescription drug copayments.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S706