Ernst on the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act: “This is a win-win for Iowa consumers and pharmacists”

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement:

“Iowans, and all Americans, deserve to know the cost of their prescriptions and pharmacists should have the ability to share that information prior to purchase. As a result of this legislation, we will see more transparency in prescription drug costs, and Americans will pay less for their prescription drugs. This is a win-win for Iowa consumers and pharmacists.”

Background:

The Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act will ban the inclusion of pharmacy “gag-clauses,” which are contract provisions imposed by health insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers that restrict pharmacists from providing certain pricing information to patients. For example, a prescription drug might cost less by paying out-of-pocket rather than through insurance, but under the “gag-clause” pharmacists are prohibited from disclosing that information.