The U. S. Senate Health committee is exploring why drug prices are so high and what can be done to lower those costs.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins chaired the hearing, in which representatives of various trade groups were asked to explain why some drugs purchased out of pocket are less expensive than the same drug purchased through insurance.
“A wide variety of prescription drugs on certain insurance plans are actually cheaper when the consumer pays out of pocket," Collins said. "That makes no sense to me.”
Collins said she is very concerned about the lack of transparency in the industry and urged colleagues to consider legislation requiring a more open marketplace for prescription drugs.
