They’re mad as heck and they ain’t gonna take it anymore, so we’ll see you in court, says Big Pharma.

hhs-resets-hipaa-finesMerck, Eli Lilly and Amgen are being joined by the National Association of Advertisers in suing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a rule taking effect in July that will force manufacturers to reveal pricing in their consumer drug ads.

Their bone of contention: The rule violates their freedom of speech and will deter patients from using the drugs because list prices are generally higher than market prices, which are subject to negotiation and are often lower, according to the lawsuit.

“If the drug companies are embarrassed by their prices or afraid that the prices will scare patients away, they should lower them,” HHS spokesperson Caitlin Oakley said. “President Trump and Secretary Azar are committed to providing patients the information they need to make their own informed health care decisions.”