[from the AMA Morning Rounds]

The Hill (3/15, Hellmann) reports a bipartisan group of senators proposed legislation Thursday to prohibit so-called “gag clauses” that “keep pharmacies from proactively telling customers they could save money on a prescription if they paid out of pocket instead of through insurance.” Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the bill. Collins said, “Americans have the right to know which payment method – insurance or cash – would provide the most savings when purchasing prescription drugs.” The article mentions that the Trump Administration has said it will target drug prices, noting FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, recently “criticized pharmacy benefit managers last week for not passing along the savings they get from rebates from drug manufacturers on to customers.”

       STAT Plus (3/15, Silverman, Subscription Publication) reports that the “federal legislation comes as a growing number of state lawmakers around the country have eyeballed the issue” and at least five states have enacted laws to prohibit gag clauses. Another 18 states have pending legislation, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy.