Merck Scores Win as Judge Strikes Down TV Ad Price Disclosures (2)

A federal judge gave Merck & Co., Eli Lilly and Co. and Amgen Inc. a win July 8 when he struck down a Trump administration rule that would have required drugmakers to include the list prices for drugs in TV ads.

The rule was to go into effect July 9. In the opinion, the judge said Congress didn’t give the administration the authority to compel drug price disclosures, despite the government’s argument that greater price transparency would pressure pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices.

The drugmakers had sought a stay while the case played out in court, but the ...