American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. (APCI) is urging Congress to pass the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, which has been reintroduced as two pieces of federal legislation aimed at reforming pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices. The announcement was made during a press conference on Capitol Hill, where APCI member Anna Noojin shared her story with Congressional Representatives and independent pharmacy activists.
The bills are designed to address issues in major healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). These programs are significant both in size and cost. By targeting PBM abuses within these systems, the legislation aims to reduce prescription drug costs and protect patient access to care.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) announced the bills, which propose reforms such as transparent pricing based on market values and prohibiting PBMs from steering patients to PBM-owned pharmacies. This would allow patients more freedom in choosing their pharmacies, particularly benefiting those in rural and underserved areas.
Greg Reybold, APCI Vice President of Healthcare Policy, said that "PBM abuses are not victimless—they raise costs for patients, reduce access to care, and drive up spending across government healthcare programs." He emphasized that the proposed legislation offers practical solutions that could lead to savings for both patients and taxpayers.
The bills also suggest that PBMs should share manufacturer rebates directly with patients at the pharmacy counter while using the remainder to lower plan premiums. This approach is expected to provide substantial savings for consumers and reduce government program spending.
Tim Hamrick, CEO of APCI, commented that "the Pharmacists Fight Back Act bills strengthen the entire healthcare system," highlighting how efficient federal programs can benefit all taxpayers.
APCI played a significant role in providing analysis and insights during the policy development process. The original 2024 version of the act had garnered 55 bipartisan cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. APCI is now calling on both returning cosponsors and new representatives to support this expanded legislative package.
For more information or to contact representatives about supporting this initiative, visit bit.ly/pharmacists-fight-back.
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