Committee OKs bill on drug prices

A bill that would require Nevada's pharmacies to submit prices charged for monthly supplies of the 100 most common name-brand and generic drugs passed through the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee on Monday with a few amendments.

Instead of prices being shipped to the state's Board of Pharmacy, they will go to the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, officials said about Assembly Bill 232.

The agency also would be responsible for maintaining the statewide Web site containing the drug prices.

Questions raised by consumers about the prescription drugs and or their prices would be directed to the Governor's Office for Consumer Health Assistance.

At the request of Carlos Brandenburg, administrator of the state's Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, pharmacies that are part of state institutions, such as Southern Nevada Mental Health Services, would be exempt from providing prices.

The bill was pushed by Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, to help Nevadans shop for the lowest prices in their area for prescription drugs.

Currently, 13 other states have comparison price guides on Web sites for consumers shopping for prescription drugs.