Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of legislation aimed at lowering the price of prescription drugs and making the administration of pharmaceutical drugs safer. Legislation S.599-A/A.1707 increases the transparency requirements concerning prescription drug costs. Legislation A.6779-A/S.6337-A makes the administration of drugs by pharmacists safer and more accessible to patients by authorizing administering of additional medications for treatment of mental health and substance use disorder and requiring communication of the administration between the pharmacist and the prescribing physician.
“Too many New Yorkers are struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs – and I am committed to doing everything in my power to help,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation will increase transparency and safety for all New Yorkers.”
Legislation S.599-A/A.1707 increases price transparency by ensuring that price increases are reported to the State through the Department of Financial Services. Legislation A.6779-A/S.6337-A expands the universe of injectable medications available to patients through pharmacies and addresses medical transparency as it relates to pharmacists and prescribing physicians. By requiring pharmacists to notify prescribing physicians of the administration of medication, New York is requiring a layer of communication that will keep patients safe.
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “Allowing patients to receive their long acting injectable medications for mental health and/or substance use disease at their local pharmacy with patient consent is a meaningful effort to reduce barriers for patients who are looking to live their life and manage their disease. Thanks to the signing of this legislation by Governor Hochul, New York State is ensuring that patients have greater access to medication and care and this is critical in underserved areas such as the urban and rural areas that are turning into health care deserts. I appreciate the Governor’s recognition that we need to meet patients where they are at and this legislation is yet another example of meeting that need.”
