Hochul signs legislation to expand patient access, tackle cost of prescription drugs

Legislation S.599-A/A.1707 requires manufacturers of certain prescription drugs to notify Department of Financial Services of any proposed wholesale increase costs for prescription drugs; legislation A.6779-A/S.6337-A expands administration of medications for treatment of mental health and substance use disorder

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently 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,” 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.

Hochul’s team said, “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.”

Assembly member John T. McDonald III, R.P.h., 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.”