HHS Issues Statement on President Trump’s Leadership on Drug Pricing

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement by Secretary Alex Azar:

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On Wednesday, President Trump signed legislation that bans pharmacy gag clauses, which prevent pharmacists from informing patients when they can pay less out of pocket for a prescription drug, in both private insurance plans and in Medicare prescription drug plans.

"This bipartisan legislative accomplishment was secured by President Trump's historic leadership on drug pricing. The President's drug-pricing blueprint called for ending gag clauses.

"Within a week of the blueprint's release, HHS informed Medicare plans that they are unacceptable, and now Congress has responded to the President's call by formally banning them.

"American patients should know: You can always ask your pharmacist whether you're getting the best deal on the prescription drugs you need.

"This is just one step in the President's plans to deliver better healthcare to Americans at lower prices, efforts that have already involved more action to bring down drug prices than any previous President has taken."