In the annual meeting of its House of Delegates, which concluded on June 11, the American Medical Association adopted a resolution opposing PBM spread pricing practices, including supporting state and federal legislation. The resolution also supported "requiring PBMs to use transparent, pass-through pricing models that ensure fair and consistent reimbursement to pharmacies, physicians, and patients."
Additionally, the meeting considered a resolution around pharmacy deserts, which would have urged Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers to ensure "sustainable pharmacy operations in rural and underserved areas;" the resolution specifically singled out community pharmacy by directing the AMA to "study and address the impact of preferred pharmacy networks on patient access to pharmacy services, particularly in pharmacy deserts, with attention to supporting independent pharmacies." The House of Delegates eventually decided to refer this resolution for further study, citing concerns of possible "unintended consequences on patients or physicians," "potential for expanded pharmacist scope of practice [and] pharmacist scope creep," and "conflicts with regulatory authority."
The text of both resolutions is available in this AMA committee report.
