By Bob Katzen

The House 158-0, approved a bill that supporters say would make major changes and reforms to the state’s pharmaceutical system by lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. They said the measure protects patients and independent pharmacists by regulating the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry; banning many of the industry’s worst business practices; and reducing or eliminating co-pays for certain chronic conditions.

“Many folks in Massachusetts face cost barriers in access to the medications they are prescribed, especially for many of our most vulnerable residents who live with chronic disease,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This bill aims to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of certain lifesaving drugs and ban certain business practices that are commonly used by PBMs to increase their own profits at the expense of patients.”

“[The bill] would go a long way toward helping people in Massachusetts living with diabetes and other chronic conditions by reducing barriers to care, improving access to lifesaving and life-sustaining medication and reducing out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions,” said Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition Board Chair, Hunter Limbaugh. “We are encouraged by its progress and will continue to advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors by working with the Massachusetts Legislature all the way to the governor’s desk.”

The Senate has already approved a different version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will try to hammer out a compromise version.

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes