A new state law aimed at protecting patients from excess costs of prescription medications requires pharmacists to charge the lesser of a customer’s insurance co-pay or the cash price.

The new law (House Bill 2464), which was approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor in March, will take effect June 10. When it does,  it will end the current situation in which pharmacists don’t have to tell patients if the cash price is lower. This can result in people paying higher prices for their prescriptions than necessary, said state Rep. Chris Gildon, who sponsored the new legislation.

“There are so many people (statewide) who struggle to stay afloat. One of the biggest strains they face is the cost of prescription medications,” said Gildon, who is from Puyallup and the 25th Legislative District.