Monmouth's Ask the Doctor January-February 2020

OUR DEPARTMENTS Doctor Advice ..........................................................5 Kids’ Health & Camp ........................................... 11 Information, news and expert advice to raising healthy children from pregnancy to 18 Diet and Excercise .............................................. 18 Healthy Mind & Soul ..........................................24 Inspirational stories and advice on achieving mental balance and clarity As We Age ...........................................................27 Articles and physician information just for seniors I Am Beautiful .....................................................37 Men’s Health ...................................................... 40 Doctor Profiles ...................................................... 42 Physician information, including credentials, to help you choose a doctor or find out more about a doctor that you go to now The Healthy Palate .............................................43 Recipes to enjoy and local dining options for eating out Healthy Home .....................................................47 Here you will find expert tips to make your home healthier, safe and fabulous Financial Health ................................................52 Information, resources and news related to the health and well-being of your financial future

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Murphy signs Dancer bill making prescription drugs more affordable by eliminating clawbacks and gag clauses

Under a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy and sponsored Assemblyman Ron Dancer, prescription drug costs will be more affordable and transparent by elimi- nating controversial practices known as clawbacks and gag clauses. The bill (S2690/A3993/A2214) prohibits pharmacy benefit managers, the mid- dleman that manage the prescription drug part of health insurance plans, from charging a copay that exceeds a drug's cash price and keeping the difference, a practice called clawbacks. It also removes gag clauses that prevented pharmacists from telling their customers about lower price options.

“Pharmacy benefit managers have been holding consumers and pharmacists hostage. This law will do away with the games,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “Patients who need prescriptions for their health should not be subjected to profit-motivated deception.” One study found nearly one-quarter of all insurance copays exceeded the price the pharmacy had negotiated for the same drug by at least $2. An NBC News investigation found these clawback schemes often targeted a wide variety of generic drugs that treat diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, depression and anxiety. “The deck is stacked against prescription users who have no idea this is going on,” said Dancer. “The gag clause prohibits the pharmacists from informing their customers of this scheme. That’s not acceptable. Nobody should pay more for required drugs because they are insured.” Under the new law, pharmacists are now required to tell people how much their prescriptions cost, including cheaper options to purchase without insurance. It also directs the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop a public awareness campaign on pre- scription costs and consumer rights. New Jersey joins more than 30 states that have enacted laws prohibiting gag clauses and at least 20 others that outlaw copay clawbacks.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020