Pharma Lobby Readies Legal Firepower for Drug Pricing Measures

Measures to lower prescription drug prices will inevitably end up being challenged by pharmaceutical companies, even as they have yet to become law, attorneys say.

The congressional package of climate, tax, and health-care measures passed by the Senate Sunday contains provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors. It also includes a requirement that drug companies pay Medicare a rebate for prices that increase faster than inflation. The House needs to pass the bill before it can become law, and the measures wouldn’t take effect until the Health and Human Services Department issues ...