Category Archives: Prescription Drug Reform

Public Hearing on Prescription Drug Shortages

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

On Monday, February 13, the Joint Committee on Public Health will conduct an oversight hearing to investigate the impact of drug shortages on patient care in Massachusetts. The hearing will take place from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

A Holiday Gift for Pharma?

Posted on December 22, 2011 by

As the halls of the Massachusetts State House are emptying out for the holidays, the pharmaceutical industry is working hard to push through special interest legislation when they think no one is paying attention.  On Tuesday of this week, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments

Rx Fraud Case Reaps Big Rewards for Massachusetts

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

(Guest post by Wells Wilkinson, Director, Prescription Access Litigation, and Marcia Hams, Director of Prescription Access and Quality, Community Catalyst. Follow their work to make prescription drug prices more affordable on the Postscript Blog.) Yesterday, the Massachusetts Attorney-General’s office announced … Continue reading →

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One Of These States Is Not Like The Other

Posted on November 7, 2011 by

What’s right with this chart? It comes a new report (press release; full report (pdf)) that quantifies what Health Care For All has been saying all along – drug coupons actually don’t lower costs for consumers but drive up prices … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

Drug coupons – a pharma company’s best friend

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

Earlier this week, Health Care For All testified before the Joint Committee on Financial Services in opposition to a bill that would allow the pharmaceutical industry to market “coupons” for brand name drugs.  This bill is one among many before … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Prescription Drug Reform | 3 Comments

Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Gift Ban is Working

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

In 2008, Massachusetts enacted its a pharmaceutical and medical device gift ban and disclosure law, which limited industry representatives from wining-and-dining physicians in order to encourage the prescribing of their high-cost, brand-name products. The law also established annual reporting requirements … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 6 Comments

False Prophet

Posted on August 5, 2011 by

Assignment: compare and contrast. Earlier this year, Massachusetts officials passed what was dubbed the “gift ban,” regulations that limit the contributions, gratuities, and meals pharmaceutical and medical device firms can give to doctors. At the time, Robert Coughlin, president of … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 4 Comments

“MA residents should not be expected to pay for the free lunches of providers when they can barely afford their own health care”

Posted on June 16, 2011 by

Today the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses heard testimony on multiple bills, including S. 1849 – archly titled, “An Act Relative to Restaurant Rejuvenation.” The bill would add a restaurant loophole to the state’s Pharmaceutical and Medical … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments

Put Patients First – Protect the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Gift Ban. Check out www.hcfama.org/giftban

Posted on June 6, 2011 by

Three years ago, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Gift Ban was enacted to protect consumers and reduce health care costs by limiting the marketing practices of pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Each year, approximately $30 billion dollars on these marketing … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments

Why Drug Coupons Are A Bad Deal For Massachusetts – Audio Version

Posted on May 22, 2011 by

This weeks Senate budget debate will include two amendments to allow pharma industry marketing of “coupons” for brand name drugs – amendments 503 by Senator Michael Moore, and 446, sponsored by Senator Tarr and three other Republicans. A similar provision … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments