Pharmacy
Senate Bill 17 calls for price transparency; drug companies would have to announce large price hikes, give detailed justification explaining hike.
Critics say vulnerable patients are being manipulated and the goals promoted are skewed by pharma benefactors who want faster government approval.
Bill would close loophole in FDA law which allows branded drug makers to use closed distribution networks to block generics.
The Memphis-based company provides pharmacy services to more than 500 hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Office of Inspector General for the VA concluded overcharges had occurred going back to 2002, DOJ said.
Lawsuit filed days after EpiPen recall for potential defect in supplier component.
Lack of transparency, lag time in pharmacy being notified of fees create unnecessary burden on pharmacy operations, orgs say.
Pharmacy operators paid kickbacks to doctors for prescribing, refilling pricey compound pain medications, Department of Justice says.
New bill to allow the practice would modify previous safety standards, remove a barrier that blocked previous efforts at importation.
Republican Senators Orrin Hatch, Chuck Grassley, Tom Cotton sent letter to the GAO raising possibility of regulatory, legislative changes.