Bill > H729

This bill aims to enhance prescription drug cost transparency and affordability in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: - Defining key terms like "brand name drug," "generic drug," "pharmaceutical manufacturing company," and "pharmacy benefit manager" to provide clarity. - Expanding the oversight and assessment authority of the Health Policy Commission and Center for Health Information and Analysis to include pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers. - Requiring pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers to submit detailed information on drug pricing, rebates, and other factors contributing to drug costs. - Establishing a process for the Health Policy Commission to identify and review "eligible drugs" with high launch prices or significant price increases, and work with manufacturers to develop affordability improvement plans. - Creating a Prescription Drug Cost Assistance Trust Fund and program to provide financial assistance for certain high-cost prescription drugs to eligible state residents. - Regulating pharmacy benefit managers, including requiring them to be licensed in the state and prohibiting practices that limit consumer information or access. - Addressing consumer protections around cost-sharing and transparency at the pharmacy point-of-sale. The overall goal is to enhance transparency, promote affordability, and improve access to high-cost prescription drugs for Massachusetts residents.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H729