(Washington, D.C. – Insurance News 360) – On Oct. 15, Health and Human Services (HHS) Director  Alex Azar issued  a statement regarding drug companies’ announcement that they would begin providing access to greater amounts of information about drug pricing.

This is Azar’s statement.

“Patient empowerment and transparency are at the core of the President’s drug-pricing blueprint that was released five months ago. Our vision for a new, more transparent drug-pricing system does not rely on voluntary action. The drug industry remains resistant to providing real transparency around their prices, including the sky-high list prices that many patients pay. So while the pharmaceutical industry’s action today is a small step in the right direction, we will go further and continue to implement the President’s blueprint to deliver new transparency and put American patients first. “

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.