Congress Includes PBM Reforms in End-of-Year Spending Package

Congress has included pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform in the end-of-year government funding package and is set for a vote this week. The spending package, if approved, would end spread pricing in Medicaid, preserve pharmacy access and choice for Medicare patients and ensure fair and accurate pharmacy reimbursement under Medicaid, among other policy changes.

"We thank our congressional champions who understand there is more work to be done," said American Pharmacists Association Executive Vice President and CEO Michael D. Hogue. "APhA and our colleagues will continue to lead the fight for meaningful PBM reforms to keep our nation's pharmacy doors open for our patients and bring real transparency and accountability to the health care marketplace."

Read the APhA's full statement on the resolution

Other reforms include delinking PBM payments from a drug’s list price and PBM data reporting that will shed new light on all their outrageous practices, said National Community Pharmacists Association Director of Congressional Affairs Kaite Krell.

To help get the spending bill across the finish line, contact your legislators using the following links and urge them to vote "yes."

• Patient link: https://www.fight4rx.org/action-center.html?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f112249%2fRespond
• Pharmacist link: https://ncpa.org/legislative-action-center