Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4493: An Act to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies
Status: In committee, August 4, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, September 18, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new section:- Section 226A Contracts for Community Pharmacy Services “Brand name drug”, a drug that is: (i) produced or distributed pursuant to an original new drug application approved under 21 U.S.C. 355(c) except for: (A) any drug approved through an application submitted under section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that is pharmaceutically equivalent, as that term is defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration, to a drug approved under 21 U.S.C. 355(c); (B) an abbreviated new drug 407 application that was approved by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(c), before the date of the enactment of the federal Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 19 of 58 1984, Public Law 98-417, 98 Stat. 1585; or (C) an authorized generic drug as defined in 42 C.F.R. 447.502; (ii) produced or distributed pursuant to a biologics license application approved 412 under 42 U.S.C. 262(a)(2)(C); or (iii) identified by the health benefit plan as a brand name drug based on available data resources such as Medi-Span. “Generic drug”, a retail drug that is: (i) marketed or distributed pursuant to an abbreviated new …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Carole Fiola (D)
- Patrick Kearney (D, 4th Plymouth)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1157
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (September 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4493?
- H4493 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies.
- What is the status of H4493?
- In committee as of August 4, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (August 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4493?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4493?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4493
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.