AMA adopts policy aimed to bolster transparency of prescription costs

As prescription drug prices have spiked — often without reason — the American Medical Association (AMA) has advocated for more transparency in pricing to protect patients. At its Annual Meeting today, the AMA adopted several policies, including policies on direct-to-consumer ads and naloxone pricing that aim to give patients more information about drugs prescribed to them and shed light on the rationale for price increases.

“Taken together, these policies would bring much needed transparency to drug pricing and provide a clear benefit to consumers struggling with exorbitant costs. There seems to be no logic — or warning — to these price spikes. In the case of naloxone, communities are struggling to afford a life-saving treatment. Sunlight is needed to help respond to price shifts, because if the pricing trends continue, patients and communities will not be able to afford life-saving drugs,” said AMA President-elect Barbara L. McAneny, M.D..