Maryland lawmakers pass a bill aimed at stopping 'unconscionable' drug pricing

Fierce Pharma -------- Taking the fight against high drug prices into their own hands, Maryland lawmakers passed a bill aimed at taking on “unconscionable” pricing practices with their sights set squarely on generics. But drugmakers are blasting back, hoping to convince the governor not to sign it into law. Under the legislation, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program will notify Attorney General Brian Frosh if a generic drug’s price spikes by 50% in one year or if its price increases while there are three or fewer companies making the med, among other potential violations. Then, the attorney general is able to request a report from drugmakers detailing production costs, rationale for the price hike and efforts to expand access. If Frosh determines the company committed a violation of the pricing law, he can request that a circuit court force it to roll back the price hike and return money to consumers. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.