Senator Saland Sponsors Legislation Which Passes The Senate To Make Prescription Drug Prices Available Online

Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that legislation he has sponsored (S.1936-A) which would require prescription drug prices to be posted online to give consumers easy access to the drug price list and allow them to electronically comparison shop for prescription drugs on the Internet has passed the Senate.

Under current law, pharmacies in New York are required to produce an updated weekly prescription drug price list and make copies available to consumers who come into the pharmacy and request the list in person. This legislation would require pharmacies to provide the same list electronically each week to the Department of Health, which will make the prices available on their web site. Signs would be posted in pharmacies notifying consumers that the price list is online and the address of the web site. The web site will be searchable by zip code and other factors.

"I am very pleased that this legislation has passed the Senate," said Senator Saland. "This will be an extremely valuable resource for those who lack insurance and try to search for the best available prices," said Senator Saland. "For seniors with computer access the ability to comparison shop without leaving home will allow them to take advantage of the best prices available without having to physically visit multiple stores."

The bill will now be sent to the Assembly.