MA senate passes bill to lower prescription drug prices

The Massachusetts State Senate passed a MASSPIRG backed bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Massachusetts successfully passed reforms in 2019 which have yielded savings of over $300 million for the state’s Medicaid program.   This legislation would build on this success by extending a similar policy to those with private insurance. The bill would bring the pharmaceutical industry in line with the cost containment measures that apply to other health care industries in the state, including hospitals and insurers. It authorizes the Health Policy Commission to review the cost of certain prescription drugs to ensure they are affordable and engage manufacturers in lowering costs if prices are found to be unreasonable or excessive.

“Tackling the issue of skyrocketing prescription drug prices not only helps those of us who need to take medication, the reforms in the bill will help rein in rising health care costs as drug spending is a leading driver of health care spending in Massachusetts,” said Deirdre Cummings, legislative director, MASSPIRG.