Medicare bill
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
"A prescribed drug or biological product...that is available over-the-counter in addition to being available upon prescription" would be covered by Medicare under legislation introduced April 20 on the Senate and House floors. The clause appears to apply to switch products that still have Rx versions available, such as numerous H2 antagonists. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) introduced the bill (S 841) in the Senate with two cosponsors; the measure was referred to the Finance Committee. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) introduced the legislation in the House (HR 1495) along with 31 cosponsors; it was referred to the Commerce and Ways & Means Committees