Judge halts Trump administration rule requiring drug prices in TV ads

What he's saying: Mehta said in his ruling the court does not question the motives of HHS in adopting the rule, but it doesn't have the authority to drug firms to disclose prices, according to The Hill. "Nor does it take any view on the wisdom of requiring drug companies to disclose prices," he said, per The Hill.

"That policy very well could be an effective tool in halting the rising cost of prescription drugs. But no matter how vexing the problem of spiraling drug costs may be, HHS cannot do more than what Congress has authorized. The responsibility rests with Congress to act in the first instance."

Our thought bubble, per Axios' Sara Fischer: TV advertising is an especially important medium for drug companies, which often struggle to advertise on digital channels, due to lengthy side effect disclosure requirements.

Go deeper:

• The Trump administration's major shakeup in the way we pay for drugs
• Drug ads will have to include prices
• The drug pricing maze

This article has been updated with analysis from Fischer and Judge Mehta's comments.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the gender of the judge.