Pharma Companies Sue to Block Drug Price Disclosure Rule

Three of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. filed suit on June 14 against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), claiming that HHS doesn’t have the power to compel companies to include list prices of prescription drugs in television advertisements. HHS’s new rule is set to take effect on July 9.

Merck, Eli Lilly and Amgen are the plaintiffs, along with the Association of National Advertisers. Amgen released a statement explaining its position that, among other concerns, differences in insurance coverage make disclosures of list prices misleading. The new rule was previously discussed here.