Congress Bans Gag-Clauses on Pharmacists

On Monday September 24th 2018, Congress passed the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act. The purpose of these bills is to ban the imposition of gag clauses upon on pharmacists. These gag clauses previously prevented pharmacists from letting customers when they can save money using out-of-pocket payment options. Now pharmacists, who are important healthcare providers, can properly advise their patients about medication costs. The importance of these bills is highlighted by the increasing costs of healthcare in the U.S. and the Trump administration’s goal of reducing drug prices. Now that the bills have passed Congress all that there is for President Trump to sign them into law. This is a step in the right direction but without more reform, prices will continue to rise for consumers whether they pay out-of-pocket or not.