Herron Sponsors Prescription Drug Price Relief Bill

Nashville – Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) announced today that he is a sponsor of legislation that will provide prescription drug price relief to citizens across Tennessee .

“The bill I’m sponsoring will make it easier for consumers to get the prescription drugs they need at affordable prices,” Herron said. “The bill really applies common sense to the prescription drug ind ustry.”

Herron’s legislation, Senate Bill 1360, will require that pharmacists distribute generic drugs to fill all prescriptions. If a name brand drug is recommended by the doctor, a suitable generic will be substituted unless the brand name drug is medically necessary. The impact of this policy will be significantly lower drug costs for all consumers.

“If a generic drug can do the same things as a name brand drug, there’s no need to pay name brand prices,” Herron said. “Too many people are paying far too much money for the medicine they need. If the legislation I’m proposing passes, all consumers will benefit when they purchase prescription drugs.

“The big prescription drug companies are making huge profits at the expense of the people,” Herron added. “The time for fairness in drug pricing is now.”

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