BioCentury
ARTICLE | Politics, Policy & Law

Transparency scorecard

Why Mass. price transparency bill could succeed where others have failed

May 11, 2015 7:00 AM UTC

Three state transparency bills that attempted to force disclosure of biopharmaceutical product development and marketing costs have withered on the vine. But industry certainly isn't in the clear yet, with two more bills in state health committees - including one that might have legs.

Bills in California, Oregon, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have sought to require companies to disclose R&D and SG&A expenses for a given drug, along with its profit. They vary with respect to which drugs would be subject to reporting, and what details need to be shared. However, the sponsors of all the proposed bills said they are necessary because the rising cost of specialty drugs is straining the healthcare system (see "State of Transparency," page 2). ...