State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues Wednesday, March 19th in passing legislation that would allow consumers to take advantage of prescription drug discounts in an effort to lower medical costs.

This bill would allow consumers cost savings while reducing some of the barriers that prevent patients from taking their medications as prescribed. These savings can reduce co-payments by $10 to $20 or more every month.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “I have devoted my efforts throughout the years to fighting the outrageous cost of prescription drugs. Especially in these economic times and especially for our senior citizens, who are often hurt particularly hard by the escalating costs of their prescriptions, we should provide every opportunity for savings on pharmaceuticals. Every cost barrier we remove will help.”

“This legislation will help consumers save money on medical costs when folks across the Commonwealth are struggling to make ends meet,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “It’s important that we give patients and their physicians every option available while determining their health care prescription regiments.”

These discounts do not allow consumers to choose a medicine but would give them the option to save money once their treatment has been prescribed by their doctor and approved by their insurer. Obtaining prescription medicine still requires coordination with a medical professional, and a provision included in the bill allows insurance companies to opt out if they choose to do so.

Massachusetts’ has a generic substitution law in place intended to curb the use of brand name drugs through the use of generic-first formularies. However, when generic drugs are not available or a physician determines a name brand drug is necessary for treatment, this legislation would allow patients to save money on needed drugs.

The legislation now moves to the Massachusetts Senate for consideration.