AHA supports amendment to address ‘out-of-control cost’ of prescription drugs

The AHA today expressed support for and urged all senators to support an amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill that would help address the out-of-control cost of prescription drugs. Offered by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), amendment #3787 would provide funding to enable HHS to require disclosure of drug pricing information in direct-to-consumer advertising. “DTC advertising has the potential to lead to overutilization of high-cost prescription drugs, including when lower-cost but equally effective options may be available,” AHA wrote in a letter to senators. “This is contributing to the unsustainable rate of growth in prescription drug spending, which is consuming a bigger portion of health care dollars each year. Requiring disclosure of drug pricing information in DTC advertising will meaningfully enhance drug pricing transparency and provide useful information for consumers as they engage in discussions with their providers about the best treatment options for their individual health care needs.”