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The article offers information on the laws recently passed by state legislatures to address rising prescription drug costs. Topics discussed include challenges brought by pharmaceutical manufacturers to many of these laws, and the ever-expanding legal thicket that states must traverse to control drug prices; effective ways to control drug costs; and states attempt to regulate pharmaceutical pricing through legislation.

The California drug transparency bill (SB-17), signed into law in October 2017, seeks to promote transparency in pharmaceutical pricing, enhance understanding about pharmaceutical pricing trends, and assist in managing pharmaceutical costs. This article examines the legal and regulatory aspects of SB-17, explores legal challenges to the law, compares it to other state efforts to address rising drug prices, and discusses how California can maximize the impact of SB-17 by coupling the law with other incentives. While SB-17 might not significantly reduce drug prices, the new law represents a meaningful step for one state seeking to negotiate the political and legal boundaries of state action to rein in drug prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]