Bill could lower some prescription costs

A bill aimed at helping customers pay the lowest price possible on prescription drugs is headed to Gov. Ralph Northam for his signature. Identical bills have been passed by the House and Senate.

“I believe these are consumer-friendly, pro-transparency bills that will benefit people across Virginia by ensuring they pay the lowest available price for their medication and provide community pharmacists the protections they need to operate their businesses and serve customers,” said Del. Todd Pillion, R-Washington.

HB 1177 was first introduced by Pillion but shortly after, companion bill SB 933 was proposed by Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax.

Current law allows “gag clauses” that  prohibit pharmacies from telling their customers if a prescription would be cheaper without using their health insurance. If pharmacists were to tell the patient, they could be breaching a contract between the pharmacy and its benefit managers.

Pharmacy benefit managers are the middleman between pharmacies, drug manufacturing companies and health insurance providers.

They also handle prescription claims and negotiate fees and pricing. However, Pillion said community pharmacists are concerned about the lack of transparency with their patients and the practice of what are known as  “clawbacks” --  when  the customer’s copay that is more expensive than the prescription. Pharmacy benefit managers then profit from the excess that was charged to the patient.

The bill has been backed by such organizations as the Virginia Pharmacists Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions

If Pillion’s bill is signed by Northam, it will take effect as soon as July 1.