A Maine law that would have limited access by medical data
companies to doctors' prescription information was reversed on constitutional
grounds.
The law, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, would prohibit
“the transfer of truthful commercial information” and “violate the free speech
guarantee,” US District Judge John Woodcock ruled. Researchers IMS Health,
Wolters Kluwer Health and Verispan had challenged the law.
“We believe that restrictions on the dissemination of
information of crucial public interest are neither good healthcare policy nor
consistent with our society's core beliefs in the free flow of information,”
IMS said in a statement issued after the ruling.
Judge Woodcock said he relied heavily on an earlier decision
overturning a similar law in New Hampshire. In Vermont a similar case also is
pending.
Maine's law was one of several state measures designed to
slow Rx drug costs.
Following the New Hampshire ruling, Maine legislators
attempted to alter their law to avoid the First Amendment snag, using an “opt
out” provision to allow prescribers to prevent release of information. But
challengers said the provision only increased the chances that the law would be
used to shield poor prescribing practices.
State Rep. Sharon Treat told the Associated Press that she
anticipates an appeal.