Trade association seeks to block Maryland drug pricing law

The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) filed suit against two state officials to block a new law allowing the state's attorney general to sue drug manufacturers in cases deemed to be "price gouging" of an "essential" off-patent or generic drug. The suit names Attorney General Brian Frosh and Dennis Schrader, who is secretary of the state's health department.

According to their complaint, the generics and biosimilars trade association are seeking an injunction that would halt the law's planned implementation and a declaration that the legislation is "unconstitutional and invalid." AAM said the law gives the state "unprecedented powers to regulate the national pharmaceutical market," and said the law "protects high-priced brand name drug companies, while it punishes lower cost generic alternatives." ...