US drug pricing: Trump promises overhaul after judge blocks attempt to force cost disclosures

A US federal judge has blocked a Trump administration rule that would have required drug manufacturers to display their list prices in all television drug advertisements. The rule, which was set to take effect later this week, would have been the first policy to actually be implemented in Trump’s drive to reduce prescription costs, which he has called a priority for his administration.

Judge Amit Mehta, of the US District Court in the District of Columbia, ruled on 8 July that the US Department of Health had exceeded its authority in making the rule.

The drug companies Merck, Eli Lilly, and Amgen, which sued together to block the rule, called it a violation of the first amendment. They also argued that many patients had health …