The rule is thefirst move by regulators to implement a blueprint to lower drugprices laid out last year by President Donald Trump. (Photo:Shutterstock)
Pharmaceutical companies will have to disclose drug prices in television commercialsin the U.S. for the first time, as the Trump administration beginsto put in place a plan to lower prescription costs.
|The Department of Health and Human Services finalized a ruleWednesday that would require drugmakers to disclose a drug's costif its price before rebates and discounts is above $35 for amonth's supply or the usual course of therapy. The rule is thefirst move by regulators to implement a blueprint to lower drug prices laid out lastyear by President Donald Trump.
|Related: Listing drug prices on TV: Does it really benefitconsumers?
|“Patients who are struggling with high drug costs are in thatposition because of the high list prices that drug companies set,”Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statementunveiling the rule. “Making those prices more transparent is asignificant step in President Trump's efforts to reform ourprescription drug markets and put patients in charge of their ownhealth care.”
|The rule will go into effect 60 days after it's published, whichcould come as soon as Friday, Azar said on a conference call withreporters.
|Drugmakers had started disclosing prices online, with thePharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America urging membersto redirect patients watching TV ads to the websites, which discussdifferent pricing scenarios rather than just the list price.
|The trade association said the rule would give patients watchingTV the false impression that they're required to pay the full priceand that the ads would deter patients from seeking treatment. Thegroup also said the proposal would violate the First Amendment bycompelling commercial speech.
|The rule will apply to drugs that are covered by the Medicareand Medicaid programs.
|Read more:
- Eli Lilly says 'no' to TV list prices but offers acompromise
- What does the FDA think of Instagram influencersand medical promotions?
- TV list prices for drugs could be a turnoff forconsumers, study says
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