Senate Passes Package of Bills to Address Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs

Contact Name: Sara Persechino

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed a package of bills to address skyrocketing prescription drug costs. Collectively, the bills seek to create transparency in prescription drug pricing and maintain affordable health care for New Hampshire residents.

After the votes, the prime sponsors of the bills released the following statements:

“No family should be forced to choose between their physical health and putting food on the table,” said Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua), prime sponsor of SB 686. “Our current system is not working for New Hampshire. Drug costs continue to increase without a system of checks and balances to protect public health and financial security for Granite State families.”

“Drug manufacturers need to be held to new standards that guarantee any price hikes are warranted and do not harm patients by making essential medications unaffordable,” added Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth), prime sponsor of SB 688.

Senator Dr. Tom Sherman (D-Rye), prime sponsor of SB 687 and SB 689, concluded, “Our goal is to bridge the gap between those working on the inside of the industry, New Hampshire citizens, and health care professionals to give everyone the tools they need to make informed decisions when it comes to ensuring that Granite Staters have access to the prescription drugs they need and can afford.”

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Background:

· SB 686 - relative to rebates paid to pharmacy benefits managers.

· SB 687 - relative to transparency in prescription drug pricing and establishing a New Hampshire prescription drug affordability board.

· SB 688 - prohibiting price gouging in the sale of prescription drugs.

· SB 689 - relative to the pharmacy anti-steering law.