Report: Hochul signs pair of bills that lowers price of prescription meds and makes administration of pharmaceutical drugs safer

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul signed two pieces of legislation last week, which are aimed at lowering the price of prescription drugs and making the administration of pharmaceutical drugs safer.

The first bill increases the transparency requirements concerning prescription drug costs, while the second bill 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, the Governor's Office said.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.