Senate passes bill to promote access to drug price data

The Senate last night voted 98-2 to approve the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (S. 2554), a bill that would prohibit private health plans from restricting a pharmacist’s ability to inform enrollees when a drug would cost less without using their insurance. Some health insurance contracts prevent pharmacists from informing patients when the cash price for their prescription costs less than their insurance cost-sharing arrangement unless the individual asks. The Senate earlier this month passed a similar bill that applies to patients in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. The House Energy and Commerce Committee last week approved similar legislation for Medicare and private health plans.