This week, Robert Kennedy, Jr., President Trump's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), appeared before the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees for his confirmation hearings. In response to questions from senators, Kennedy had multiple opportunities to discuss PBM practices and their role in rising drug costs. Kennedy recognized that PBMs directly contribute to rising drug costs and committed to working with Congress to create meaningful change. He also recognized that as many as 60 senators brought up PBM reform as a top-of-mind issue, further committing to "radical transparency." As senators asked questions about PBMs, Kennedy demonstrated a clear intent that PBM reform will be a priority under his leadership and that he and President Trump are on the same page.
Kennedy's willingness to implement Inflation Reduction Act provisions was addressed as well. When asked if he supported the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which is of great concern to NCPA and community pharmacies, Kennedy was noncommittal about his support for the program as currently structured but supports the "idea" of negotiations with drug companies. NCPA will continue to provide updates on the confirmation process and work closely with his office, if confirmed.
