“PBM” Reform and Defending Patient Access
Pharmacists Most Credible on Prescription-Drug Savings
say pharmacists are “very credible” or “somewhat credible” sources when it comes to information about how to save money on prescription drugs – ranking them highest among those tested (others tested include doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies).
Pharmacists Most Credible on Prescription-Drug Savings
say pharmacists are “very credible” or “somewhat credible” sources when it comes to information about how to save money on prescription drugs – ranking them highest among those tested (others tested include doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies).
Morning Consult conducted this poll between December 7-December 12, 2022, among a sample of 20,010 Adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of Adults based on gender, age, race, educational attainment, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage points. NACDS commissioned the poll.
PBM Reform Demands Action by All-Branches,
All-Levels of Government
The complexities of the issues make it necessary for the federal and state governments to do their part to bring about comprehensive PBM reform. Only if the federal and state governments do their respective parts will reform prevent “pharmaceutical benefit manipulation” across all markets – Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial.
For All In Government
PBM reform is vital for patients and pharmacies.
These are essential principles for comprehensive PBM reform – to help stop PBMs’ manipulation and to stand up for patients’ pharmacy access and for pharmacies’ survival:
For the U.S. Congress
Real PBM Reform Must Protect Americans on Medicare and Medicaid, and Their Pharmacies
“Real Reform” Ad
“Dire” Ad
The gold standard for PBM reform in Medicaid is the bipartisan Drug Pricing Transparency in Medicaid Act, S. 1038/H.R. 1613. The gold standard for PBM reform in Medicare is the bipartisan Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act, S. 2052. Medicare legislation that also would help to hold PBMs accountable is the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines Act, S. 2436/H.R. 5400. To varying degrees, aspects of these bills are included in larger pieces of legisltaion making their way through Congress. Also of importance is the investigation underway by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
For the States
Bipartisan Focus is Producing Results Across the Nation
States are recognizing the need to enact PBM reform – and to press forward with implementation, enforcement, and oversight despite PBMs’ efforts to roll back reforms. States enacted 101 PBM reform bills in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, 31 bills have been enacted across 27 states, which have led to 55 policy changes consistent with NACDS’ Principles of PBM Reform. One or more aspects of the NACDS Principles now have been adopted in every state – though much, much more work is needed in the states. Further, this does not in any way mitigate the need for federal action on the issues that it must address.
State Spotlight:
NACDS Urges Massachusetts to Proceed with Much-Needed PBM Reform Legislation