Bill > S00437

This bill requires the New York State Department of Health to update its prescription drug retail price list database on its website weekly, with specific provisions for collecting and displaying prescription drug pricing information. Currently, the department extracts pharmacy retail price information from the medical assistance program's usual and customary price data, focusing on the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs. The bill removes the phrase "as reasonably practicable" from the existing law, which effectively mandates a strict weekly update schedule instead of allowing for more flexible timing. Pharmacies participating in the medical assistance program are required to provide their pricing data through established mechanisms, and if electronic transmission isn't possible, they must fax or electronically send the information. The prescription drug retail price list must still conform to state and federal privacy and confidentiality requirements, and the commissioner is expected to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement the database. The overall goal of the bill appears to be increasing transparency and accessibility of prescription drug pricing information for consumers by ensuring more frequent and consistent updates to the public pricing database.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S437