08.26.2019

Trump Administration Says it Will Fight Drug Pricing Ruling

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last Wednesday that it would appeal a U.S. District Court judge’s ruling in July that struck down HHS’ plan to force pharmaceutical companies to disclose wholesale prices of their drugs in TV ads.
 
The judge determined that HHS did not possess the statutory authority to compel drug manufacturers to reveal prices. HHS had issued its directive on pharmacy prices in May.
 
Reuters quoted HHS spokesman Caitlin Oakley as saying of the planned appeal, “If the drug companies are embarrassed by their prices or afraid that the prices will scare patients away, they should lower them.”