A bill banning drug companies from putting gag clauses on pharmacists has passed the US Senate.
The bill was introduced by US Senator Debbie Stabenow.
She said Michigan pharmacists raised the alarm about gag clauses, which kept them from telling people when they could get their prescriptions more cheaply.
“If you go to the counter and you have insurance and you pay your copay but you could actually get your prescription for less by paying cash or in some other way the pharmacist can’t tell you that.”
Stabenow cited a Kaiser Health News study which showed 23% of people overpay for their prescriptions.
She said the practice of gag clauses has to be stopped and she’s hopeful a similar bill will move quickly through the House.