Last week, several pieces of PBM reform legislation were introduced in the Senate in advance of the Finance Committee’s markup this week of its PBM reform proposal. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced S. 2405, the Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act. The bill would specifically require PBMs to reveal the criteria used to classify drugs as specialty and prevent PBMs from steering patients to PBM-affiliated specialty pharmacies that limit patients’ options. Additionally, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced S. 2436, the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act. This bill would explicitly require CMS to define what reasonable and relevant contract terms are to ensure that PBMs are required to comply with this standard in Medicare Part D and pharmacies can continue participating in networks. NCPA is pleased to support both of these important bills in our ongoing fight to address patient steering and take-it-or-leave-it contracts with below-cost reimbursement. Now is the time to get in contact with your elected officials by hosting a pharmacy visit during NCPA’s Month of Action in August. Interested? Learn more about how you can connect with your elected officials.
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