Senate passes measure to require disclosure of drug prices in TV ads

[demmiblue]

Source: The Hill

The Senate on Thursday passed a measure to provide funding to require drug advertisements to disclose the price of the drug after a last-minute push.

The passage came as part of the massive health-care spending bill that the Senate passed on Thursday, which included the amendment from Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

The move marks a rare moment where Congress took some action aimed at high drug prices, a contentious issue that has been a recent target of Democrats and the Trump administration.

“More information gives transparency to the transaction, and will help give American consumers a break and start to slow down the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs,” Durbin said in a statement.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/403357-senate-passes-measure-to-require-disclosure-of-drug-prices-in-tv-ads

[Siwsan]

1. I wish they'd pass a law to take those ads off of the air, completely

For one thing, the money Big Pharma spends on ads could be moved into R&D. Or, to help and bring the cost of pharmaceuticals down to a reasonable rate.

Then they can pass a law to outlaw for-profit health care. I suspect that would REALLY bring prices down.

[Fred Sanders]

2. No drug ads? What would the Big Three do to fill the ad air time and annoy everyone?

As an aside a good reason for a ban is a 30 second commercial on drugs is dangerous in providing so little information on dangerous things. Ask your doctor or pharmacist? Sure, how much have the drug companies greased their palms?

Corruption is so rampant it is normal...which it is not, ever.

[Judi Lynn]

3. It's an unexpected step forward. Does this mean the sky is falling?

It's a deep mystery any Republicans could be tempted to vote for this. What did it take, blackmail?

[Freethinker65]

4. Nice gesture, but prices are not uniform and vary widely

I just checked to see what a 30 day supply of a new Rx would cost me without insurance and the range in price for the generic was several hundred dollars.

[demmiblue]

6. I don't think I have ever seen a generic brand advertised on TV.

And, I am guessing, that the prices that will have to be disclosed are sans insurance.

[Freethinker65]

7. Actually I just checked. My Rx is not generic.

I just checked Good Rx and the price without insurance ranges from about $400 to over $600/month without insurance. I am lucky in that my copay is $15

[pecosbob]

5. Bet that's going to inspire some creative marketing gymnastics

[ToxMarz]

8. What does 'to provide funding for mean

Sounds like they are paying them to do it. How much? I just don't trust anything that passes this Congress.

[justgamma]

10. That's what I thought.

Wouldn't cost them more to tack on the price.

[safeinOhio]

9. There were not any

until 1983. Except Bayer asprin.

[jmowreader]

11. Oh, the drug companies are going to fight this one tooth and nail

There are biologics on the market that cost over $10,000 per dose. Will people "ask your doctor about Opdivo" if they know from the start it's $13,000 a month?

[COLGATE4]

12. Just hope you don't need to rely on Stelara

Almost $21,000 a pop (every 2 months).