While I'm all for the idea of advertising and competition in the marketplace, I don't think this is necessary. Prescription price advertising is permissible. Virginia State Board of Pharmacy v Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, Inc, 425 US 748 (1976).
I certainly understand that it would be easier for consumers to locate one static website that has the information related to prices of prescription drugs; however, I think that either states can do that on their own initiative or consumer watchgroups could do the same.
The article points out that the hopes that the website would be similar to,
Maryland's, launched last month by the state government. It lets consumers find the retail prices each pharmacy in the state charges for 25 of the most common prescription drugs.
Only seeming to show that he understands that states are capable of doing this on their own. It might take longer for all states to begin doing this, but I think if the state residents want it then these websites will follow.
The most confusing quote from Schumer says that there will be
"No new bureaucracy, no new forms to fill out ... just a great new source of prescription cost information for consumers.
Huh?
