NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANA NESSEL
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As President Donald Trump rolled back a Biden Administration rule aimed at reducing prescription drug prices, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert, Prescription Drugs - How to Safely Save Money, to guide consumers on how to manage costs.
In his first hours in office, President Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14087, a measure designed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Americans. The rollback could lead to an increase in the prices of medications.
“Access to affordable prescription drugs is essential for the health and well-being of all Michigan residents,” Nessel said. “My Department is here to help consumers learn how to safely save money when purchasing their medications.”
Consumers can enjoy substantial savings by comparison shopping for prescription drugs. Most discount options, like a prescription discount card or manufacturer’s coupon, are best for cash-paying consumers who have no prescription drug coverage, but in some cases, consumers with insurance may benefit, too.
Michigan law (MCL 333.17757) requires a pharmacist to tell consumers the cost of a prescription drug when they ask in person or over the phone. Michigan law also requires every pharmacy to clearly display your right to know how much it charges for prescription drugs. This notice must be posted at every counter where prescriptions are filled.
When a pharmacy tells consumers how much it charges for a prescription drug, it must also let consumers know that they do not have to purchase their prescriptions at that pharmacy—and that consumers can use the price information to comparison shop.
If you are without a pharmacy benefit or some form of prescription drug coverage, the Michigan Drug Prices website can help you save money. Maintained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the website helps consumers without a pharmacy benefit:
- Compare local pharmacy prices on 150 of the most commonly prescribed prescription drugs in Michigan’s Medicaid formulary;
- Find a discount drug program at local retailers; and
- Locate an assistance program to help get necessary medications.
The interactive website allows you to search for information on a particular drug by geographic region. Searches on the Michigan Drug Prices website show that prices for the same drugs can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy by as much as 500 percent.
Because prices for prescription drugs change frequently, even daily, you need to know that the prices on the Michigan Drug Prices website reflect the price of the day the last prescription was filled and billed to the Michigan Medicaid Program. Thus, you should contact pharmacies directly to get current pricing.
The following organizations may also help or lead you to other available resources:
If any pharmacy refuses to give you drug price information, you can file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. To file a complaint with the Attorney General, contact:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
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