House approves measure to explore importing lower‑cost drugs after tense debate over transparency

The Utah House on Feb. 14, 2018, approved the second substitute for House Bill 163, a measure that directs the state to study and pursue federal permission to import certain prescription drugs at lower cost and to develop a program if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determines it would be safe and would pass savings to consumers.

Supporters and opponents traded sharp exchanges on the House floor over a transparency provision that would have required drug manufacturers to disclose planned price increases for a small set of very high-cost drugs. Representative Thurston, the bill sponsor, said the provision was intended to prevent “chasing our tails” by giving the state notice if manufacturers planned to raise prices and to protect trade secrets while focusing disclosure on the most expensive drugs. “If you don’t ask, the answer is no,” Thurston said in urging lawmakers to try the program.

The debate split members. Representative Wilson argued the transparency language was unfairly limited to manufacturers and…