North Carolina's SCRIPT Act slashes drug costs and boosts pharmacy fairness
North Carolina has introduced the SCRIPT Act to bring more transparency to prescription drug pricing. The new law aims to ensure fair reimbursements for pharmacies and lower costs for patients. State officials are now working together to enforce these changes and protect consumers.
The SCRIPT Act strengthens the Insurance Department's ability to oversee prescription drug benefits. It requires annual reports on reimbursements, pricing, and other key details. This move is designed to prevent unfair practices in the insurance market.
Under the law, independent pharmacies will receive fairer payments for medications. Patients will also benefit, as savings negotiated with drugmakers must now be passed directly to them. Another key change allows any pharmacy, including cvs pharmacy, to join insurance networks, giving people more choice over where they fill prescriptions.
Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson are leading the effort. Their collaboration focuses on creating a stable, transparent insurance system. The Department of Justice can now also enforce rules against unfair trade practices in drug pricing.
Officials have made it clear they will take action if pharmacies or insurers, such as state farm, fail to comply. Their goal is to ensure North Carolinians get the medications they need at reasonable prices.
The SCRIPT Act marks a shift in how prescription drug costs are managed in North Carolina. Pharmacies will see fairer reimbursements, and patients will have more options for filling prescriptions, including car insurance coverage. With stronger oversight and enforcement, the law is set to bring greater accountability to the state's drug pricing system.
