Senator Vincent Hughes’ Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Legislation Passes the Pennsylvania Senate

Senator Vincent Hughes' Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Legislation Passes the Pennsylvania Senate

June 12, 2025

Harrisburg, PA - June 12, 2025 - On June 10, 2025, Senate Bill 95 passed the Senate with a unanimous vote. The Senate Bill included Amendment A00975, introduced by Senator Hughes, that would require pharmacies in Pennsylvania to disclose cost information about the retail and generic versions of prescribed medications, upon the consumer's request.

"This amendment is an important step to lowering costs for consumers in Pennsylvania," said Senator Hughes. "Right now, one of the most expensive aspects of life, especially for seniors, is healthcare and prescription drugs. This amendment will give Pennsylvanians the option to assess all their options when it comes to purchasing prescription medication, and that's a big deal."

The Amendment requires pharmacies to disclose the following information, upon request from consumers, for every prescription medication they intend to purchase:

• The retail price of brand name and generic equivalent medications.
• Co-pay amounts for brand name and generic medications for those with insurance.
• How to obtain affordable coverage through Pennie, the state's health insurance exchange.

According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 3 in 10 people struggle to afford their prescription medications. Senator Hughes' amendment aims to address prescription drug affordability by increasing transparency on pricing, facilitating a better understanding of the value of health insurance coverage, and enabling consumers to make more informed decisions about their medicine.

The amended version of Senate Bill 95 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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