On Tuesday, CMS staff responsible for implementing the Inflation Reduction Act visited NCPA and EPIC Pharmacies member Steve Wienner's Mt. Vernon Pharmacy in Baltimore, Md., with NCPA staff present, as well as NCPA and CARE Pharmacies members Ali Thakkar's Laurel Main Street Pharmacy in Laurel, Md., and Raj Pingili's Lifeline Specialty Pharmacy in Ellicott City, Md. NCPA worked with CARE Pharmacies to coordinate these visits, and is happy to serve as a resource to CMS.
During the meetings, the pharmacists discussed concerns with Medicare Part D pharmacy payment, and further concerns that pharmacy reimbursement of drugs subject to price negotiation between CMS and manufacturers under the Inflation Reduction Act may not be sustainable to pharmacy. NCPA members walked CMS staff through their workflow, including processing prescriptions and medication synchronization.
