States take action to limit prescription drug costs

(NewsNation) — States are taking their own actions to limit the cost of prescription drugs for consumers, despite not being able to go after prices directly.

Instead, many states are going after pharmacy benefit managers, who negotiate deals between manufacturers, insurers and pharmacies.

Some states are considering drug affordability review boards, while others have passed laws for more transparency standards for manufacturers and PBMs.

The move has drawn support from advocates who say the federal government is too slow when it comes to getting drug companies and insurers to lower costs and criticism from those who say lowering prices will lead to pharmacies closing and fewer drugs being developed.

Some laws require PBMs to pass discounts on to consumers or be more transparent in drug