Washington State Enacts Drug Pricing Transparency Law

Drug manufacturers and pharmacy middlemen will have to provide Washington state detailed information on drug pricing and the factors driving price increases under a bill Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed into law May 9.

The legislation is an attempt to address the issue of escalating drug prices and consumers’ ability to pay those prices.

“It is essential to understand the drivers and impacts of these costs, as transparency is typically the first step toward cost containment and greater consumer access to needed prescription drugs,” the law, SHB 1224, says.

The new law requires manufacturers to give the state Health ...