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Drug Repackaging Bill Heads to Scott

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

The long-standing fight over how much doctors can mark up drugs for workers' compensation patients comes down to one thing now: Gov. Rick Scott's signature. 

The bill  limits the amount doctors can charge for drugs dispensed in their office to 12.5 percent over the average wholesale price. It increases the amount doctors get paid for giving patients the drug from $4 to $8.

It passed unanimously in the House Wednesday morning and has been sent to the governor's desk.  

The Workers’ Compensation Coalition praised the decision. 

“We have vehemently supported legislation to close the drug repackaging loophole over the past few years and we are thrilled to see this legislation pass with such support out of the Florida Legislature,”  said Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida in a news release.

Lottie Watts covers health and health policy for Health News Florida, now a part of WUSF Public Media. She also produces Florida Matters, WUSF's weekly public affairs show.