House Lawmakers Propose Drug Price Transparency in Advertising

Bipartisan lawmakers in the House have introduced the Drug-Price Transparency for Consumers Act of 2025, requiring pharmaceutical companies to disclose prescription drug prices in all direct-to-consumer advertisements across TV, magazines, and social media to help lower drug costs and empower patients. This legislation mirrors a Senate bill and responds to concerns that the U.S., one of only two countries allowing such advertising, sees higher drug prices driven by heavy promotion of expensive medications. Meanwhile, in New York, legislators are pushing for transparency in the 340B drug discount program, requiring hospitals to report how they use funds from the program to ensure savings benefit patients or communities as intended. Additionally, in North Carolina, lawmakers are advancing healthcare transparency measures including timely insurer reviews of urgent care services, public posting of insurance policy changes, and requirements for cost disclosures before unpaid bills are sent to collections. Collectively, these efforts reflect a broader push across states and Congress to increase transparency and accountability in healthcare pricing and administration to reduce costs and protect consumers.