Plain Prescription Prices Act

This bill would make drug ads on TV show the real list price of the medicine. If a prescription drug or biologic is covered by Medicare or Medicaid, any TV ad (including broadcast, cable, streaming, and satellite) must include a clear, truthful text statement of the list price for a typical 30-day supply or a usual course of treatment, based on the price at the start of that quarter. The goal is to help people see prices up front, not just brand messages.

Within one year after the law takes effect, federal health officials must set the rules for how this price must be shown, how it will be enforced, and whether the requirement should extend to other types of ads or include other price details. This means the exact format, penalties, and any expansion beyond TV could be added in those rules.

Key points

• Who is affected: Drug and biologic makers that run TV ads; viewers who take or may take these medicines; people covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
• What changes: TV ads must include a truthful, easy-to-see list price for a typical 30-day supply or usual treatment course.
• Where it applies: TV ads on broadcast, cable, streaming, and satellite.
• When: Rules must be written within one year after the law is enacted; those rules will set enforcement and could expand the requirement to other ads or add more price info.