Representative Ryan Mackenzie Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Prescription Drug Price Transparency
Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican from Pennsylvania, along with four other House members, has introduced the bipartisan Net Effective Cost Transparency and Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2026. This legislative effort aims to enhance transparency and foster competition within the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) market, with the ultimate goal of reducing prescription drug costs. The proposed bill mandates greater disclosure of the 'net effective cost' of drugs, which includes rebates, discounts, fees, and other price concessions. Supporters of the bill believe that this increased transparency will simplify the comparison of PBM bids and introduce more accountability into Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and employer health plans. The sponsors emphasized that this measure builds upon previous bipartisan initiatives focused on PBM oversight, highlighting the necessity for clearer pricing and lower costs for both patients and health plans.
