Prescription Drugs

Website for New Prescription Drug Price Transparency Law (SB 17) Now Live

By Health Access December 4, 2017

Implementation of the ground-breaking California law to provide transparency and notice of prescription drug price increases is moving ahead full steam. The law will take effect on January 1, 2018, but the the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) has already made live the registry for public and private purchasers to receive 60-day notice of future increases. The costs of prescription drugs continue to skyrocket. Consumers are facing price increases on everything from long-time generics used to treat common conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to new treatments for diseases like hepatitis C. Prices for some generic drugs, including antibiotics and asthma inhalers, have gone up anywhere from 4,000-8,000%. In October, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill […] Read More

Setting National Policy, CA Governor Brown Signs SB 17 on Prescription Drug Price Transparency

By Rachel Linn Gish October 10, 2017

This morning, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 17 by Senator Ed Hernandez, nationally influential prescription drug price legislation, at a rare signing ceremony at the State Capitol. The new law will require prescription drug companies to provide advance notice and explanation for any price hike of more than 16% over two years. Despite a heavy lobbying and media campaign by the pharmaceutical industry opposing the bill, SB 17, strongly backed by a broad coalition of consumer, labor, business, insurer, and other health organizations, eventually won overwhelming bipartisan support with a 66-9 vote in the State Assembly, and a 32-8 vote in the State Senate. The bill was co-sponsored by Health Access, the California Labor Federation, and UNITE HERE. With every […] Read More

California Poised to Set National Policy on Prescription Drug Prices

By Anthony Wright September 15, 2017

Earlier this week, SB 17, by Senator Ed Hernandez, passed off the Senate floor on a concurrence vote, putting California only a Governor’s signature away from enacting nationally impactful prescription drug price reform. After receiving overwhelming bipartisan support heading out of the State Assembly, the State Senate also affirmed that addressing drug prices increases is a bi-partisan issue, passing SB 17 on a 32-8 vote. SB 17, strongly backed by a broad coalition of consumer, labor, business, insurer, and other health organizations provides advance notice and disclosure of prescription drug prices in order to gain greater transparency for consumers and purchasers. Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition was proud to be a co-sponsor of SB 17 with the […] Read More

Momentum Builds for Bills Tackling the Rising Cost of Prescription Drugs

By Health Access September 1, 2017

SB 17 part of a package of bills targeting high prescription drug prices up for final floor votes this month

Prescription Drug Price Legislation Looms as Policymakers Return to Sacramento This Week

By Health Access August 22, 2017

A package of five bills targeting high prescription drug prices need final votes within a month. SB 17 to require transparency and advance notice of Rx drugs is shaping up to be the biggest health policy fight this fall.

A very big day to health care, including the Senate delay…

By Health Access June 28, 2017

It was a big, big day in health care: * The vote for the Senate #BCRA #Trumpcare bill was delayed! * Governor Brown signed the #CABudget which finally fully restores #DentiCal. * Key bills on prescription drug prices #SB17 & #SB790 pass Assembly Health Committee. * Monterey County expands its #Health4All pilot program for undocumented immigrants. Of course, the biggest headline was that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has put off the motion to proceed until after the July 4th break. This is great news: if he had the votes, he would have called for the vote, and moved to pass the bill by the end of the week. A so-called health bill opposed by doctor, patient, hospital, senior, and consumer groups that would make millions more uninsured, and […] Read More

New year, new bill, new momentum for prescription drug price transparency…

By Health Access March 15, 2017

During the campaign, President Trump vowed he would “bring down drug prices” through negotiation and other means, and earlier this year repeated that promise, saying the drug companies were “getting away with murder.” Yet when the President actually met with PHRMA CEOs just a month and a half ago, he seemed to capitulate to the drug companies’ every demand, with no concrete commitments for consumers. His new FDA head is one of PHRMA’s consultants and board members. The pending health bill in Congress does nothing to lower prescription drug prices, and in fact increases cost-sharing for consumers—all while giving a massive tax break to the pharmaceutical industry. With the President and Congress focused on tax and regulatory giveaways to Big […] Read More

Patient Advocates Hail New California Legislation on Prescription Drug Price Transparency

By Health Access December 5, 2016

Momentum continues to build against secretive prescription drug practices with the introduction of SB 17 (Hernandez) which is being hailed by health care consumers and labor advocates alike.

Prescription Drug Pricing Soars While Transparency Sinks

By Health Access August 26, 2016

SB 1010 could have provided transparency for drug price increases like Mylan’s EpiPen, which increased 400% this week.

The Fight Continues on Prescription Drug Costs, Despite the Demise of SB 1010

By Health Access August 17, 2016

Big Pharma may have big money, but every voter knows someone personally concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs. By bill or ballot measure or some other means, there has to be transparency and some relief on prescription drug prices.