An Act relative to pharmaceutical gag clauses
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill addresses ‘gag clauses’ in contracts between health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmacies or pharmacists. These clauses can restrict pharmacists from informing patients about lower-cost medications or alternative therapies. The bill seeks to prohibit these types of contractual restrictions, aiming to ensure patients have access to the full range of treatment options.
Key provisions
- Prohibits health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefit managers from including gag clauses in contracts with pharmacies.
- Requires pharmacies to be able to inform patients about all available medication options.
- Allows pharmacists to discuss the most cost-effective medications with patients.
- Addresses contracts related to pharmacy services.
- The bill was referred to the committee on Financial Services.
- A study order (H5223) was accompanied by the bill.
- The bill was rescheduled multiple times for a hearing.
Who is affected
- Pharmacies
- Pharmacists
- Health Insurance Carriers
- Pharmacy Benefit Managers
- Patients
Notable changes
- The bill seeks to remove restrictions on pharmacists’ ability to discuss medication options with patients.
- It addresses existing contractual agreements that may contain gag clauses.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
5 on record
Primary sponsor
Bradley H. Jones Jr.
Cosponsors
Bradley H. Jones Jr.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours