The major pharmaceutical lobbying group declared that it would direct consumers to company websites with pricing information. It would give patients a variety of pricing information, including the list price of a drug, the expected out-of-pocket costs of the drug and the patient assistance programs available.
Steve Ubl, president of PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, squabbled regarding revealing of the list price of a medication in a television ad would lead to bemusement. He anticipated that the list price might deter patients from seeking medical care.
After Azar’s speech, senior federal health officials disagreed with the idea that the rule could be found unconstitutional, saying that the Supreme Court has upheld the government’s authority to ensure that consumers receive accurate information.
The officials would welcome suggestions on whether to expand the price-disclosure requirement to drug ads beyond those on television. As of now, the decision regarding the price that needs to be written is a type size that is legible to television-watchers and would not require the price to be said aloud. The requirements would apply to all prescription drugs that are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of whether they are manufactured within the United States.
Drugmakers that violated the price-listing rule would be reprimanded and penalized.
