On Oct. 10, President Trump signed two bills aimed at addressing challenges associated with drug pricing: the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act for private plans, S. 2554 (115), and Know the Lowest Price Act for Medicare Part D and Advantage plans, S. 2553 (115). The legislation prohibits "gag clauses" that prevent pharmacists from telling customers whether they could save money by buying prescription drugs out-of-pocket rather than using their health insurance.

According to a statement from Alex Azar, secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, "American patients should know: You can always ask your pharmacist whether you're getting the best deal on the prescription drugs you need. This is just one step in the President's plans to deliver better healthcare to Americans at lower prices, efforts that have already involved more action to bring down drug prices than any previous President has taken."

Drug pricing and patient access issues are a key part of the College's policy priorities and were among the many issues discussed last week during the 2018 Legislative Conference. In July, the College submitted comments to HHS calling for significant reductions to the costs of brand name and generic drugs, increased accessibility to affordable health care, and increased pricing transparency throughout pharmaceutical supply and distribution chains.

Read more about the Trump Administration's blueprint for addressing challenges associated with drug pricing on ACC.org.

The ACC Health Affairs Committee is currently developing drug pricing and access principles to be released this Fall.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Medicare Part D, Prescription Drugs, Drugs, Generic, Costs and Cost Analysis, Insurance, Health, Patient Rights, Pharmacy

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