PACT Act 3.0 - Senator Cindy Friedman

On January 8, 2025, Governor Healey signed S.3012, An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency, the “PACT Act”, into law. This version of comprehensive pharmaceutical legislation was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature as a compromise version between the Senate and House versions. This is the third consecutive session that the Massachusetts Senate has passed a version of the PACT Act, which was originally filed by Senator Friedman six years ago.

The legislation builds significantly off the Senate bill passed in November of 2023, increasing transparency of the industry while also creating innovative new policy that will increase access and lower costs for patients, by limiting out-of-pocket costs for certain drugs used to treat diabetes, asthma, and two of the most prevalent heart conditions. Additionally, this new law ensures that a patient purchasing a prescription drug is not charged a cost-sharing amount, such as a co-pay or deductible, that exceeds the drug’s retail price.

Compromise Bill Information

Press Release: Legislature Passes Friedman-Led Pharmaceutical Bill, Enhancing Massachusetts Oversight of Pharmaceutical Industry, Lowering Costs and Saving Lives
Fact Sheet: S.3012, An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency, the “PACT Act”

Senate Bill Information

On November 15, 2023, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed S.2499, An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency, or the “PACT Act 3.0”. This is the third consecutive session that similar legislation has passed in the Senate, with previous versions having passed the Senate in 2019 and 2022. This comprehensive pharmaceutical cost control legislation is aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing costs of prescription drugs. By connecting the need for greater drug pricing transparency with policies to improve oversight of the pharmaceutical industry, the PACT Act 3.0 puts the Senate at the forefront of the state’s efforts to increase access to life-saving and essential prescription drugs. It also aims to lower health care costs overall, as well as provide a no-cost sharing option for certain prescription drugs used to treat chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect communities of color and lower-income residents.

Press Release: Senate Passes Friedman-Crafted Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency (PACT) Act 3.0 – Nov. 15, 2023