NACDS, NCPA to the U.S. Congress: Stand Strong and Enact PBM Reforms This Year in Medicare and Medicaid

ARLINGTON, Va. (Dec. 11, 2024) - National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and CEO Steven C. Anderson and National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) CEO Douglas Hoey issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter-led letter to Congressional leadership on Dec. 6:

"We applaud the bipartisan members of Congress who are standing strong for urgently needed pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms in the waning days of the 118th Congress. More than a quarter of the U.S. House of Representatives demonstrated their support, citing the need for immediate action to address market-dominant PBM middlemen tactics that inflate Americans' prescription drug costs, force pharmacy closures, and block access to Americans' pharmacies of choice.

"We also laud the commitment of other Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate who are working hard to deliver comprehensive PBM reform before year's end.

"Every day of delay is another day that PBMs are allowed to sustain their predatory practices. Congress must enact, this year, the bipartisan reforms in Medicare and Medicaid that have advanced on a bipartisan basis in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 5378, the 'Lower Costs, More Transparency Act') and the Senate Finance Committee (S. 2973, the 'Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability (MEPA) Act' and S.3430, the 'Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders (BETTER) Act of 2023').

"Enacting the Medicaid spread-pricing ban and the protections for Medicare 'reasonable and relevant contract terms' are vital for vulnerable Americans' access to their medications and to needed health and wellness services.

"Americans and their pharmacies desperately await Congressional action."

Read the letter.

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NACDS represents traditional drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate over 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS' member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ nearly 3 million individuals, including 155,000 pharmacists. They fill over 3 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 900 supplier partners and over 70 international members representing 21 countries. Please visit NACDS.org.

<_u53a_p><_o3a_p>Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ more than 205,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.