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SD 2517

An Act to promote transparency and prevent price gouging of pharmaceutical drug prices

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Massachusetts bill requiring pharmaceutical price transparency and anti-gouging protections to reduce drug costs and increase pricing accountability.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2517

Legislative bill overview

Bill SD 2517 proposes measures to increase transparency in pharmaceutical drug pricing and establish protections against price gouging in Massachusetts. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mark Montigny, aims to give consumers and policymakers better visibility into drug pricing practices while potentially imposing restrictions on rapid or excessive price increases for medications.

Why is this important

Pharmaceutical pricing has become a significant cost driver in healthcare, with patients and insurers frequently facing unexpected price spikes on essential medications. Increased transparency and anti-gouging measures could help reduce out-of-pocket costs for residents, inform policy decisions about drug affordability, and create accountability for pricing practices that may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Pharmaceutical industry opposition: Drug manufacturers may argue that price controls or transparency requirements limit their ability to recoup research and development investments, potentially discouraging innovation in new treatments
  • Definition challenges: Determining what constitutes "price gouging" versus legitimate pricing adjustments based on manufacturing costs, market conditions, or inflation is legally and economically complex
  • Implementation scope: Questions remain about whether the bill applies only to Massachusetts-based transactions, how it interacts with federal pricing regulations, and whether it could inadvertently reduce drug availability in the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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