By Mollie Wolfe, PharmD - Super V Drugs
Jonesboro, AR - Recent news involving Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) has illuminated the true impact of their prominent unjust practices on patients and drug costs. Arkansas pharmacists have been fighting for fair practices from PBMs since 2015 and, despite laws being in place, PBMs have continued to find loopholes or blatantly ignore the regulations. Many pharmacies, including Super V Drugs, want to keep you informed on the legislative moves pharmacists are making to keep their doors open and drug costs low for patients.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
In short, PBMs are essentially the “middlemen” that negotiate contracts, arrange insurance formularies and manage reimbursements between insurances and pharmacies. PBMs are found in both commercial and federally funded insurances’ processes and have an impact on every patient’s drug cost whether they know it or not. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided a report that explains in depth how PBMs have used unfair practices to ensure the most profit is made for themselves and their stakeholders without regard to its ramifications on prescription costs.
A Small Victory: Rule 128
Arkansas Pharmacists and their supportive legislators held their ground against PBMs by making Rule 128 permanent after it was emergently approved September 2024. This Rule explicitly states “a fair and reasonable cost to dispense shall be calculated commiserate with the time, labor, supplies, and other administrative costs associated with the dispensing of the drug by the pharmacy” and the PBMs must submit a report to the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner to approve. Prior to this Rule, pharmacies were not fairly or often not at all compensated for the time, labor, professional interventions, or supplies it takes to ensure a prescription is delivered safely, accurately and timely to each patient.
The Current Battle: House Bill 1150 (HB1150)
Following suit with Rule 128 to combat PBMs, House Bill 1150 (HB1150) was filed January 16, 2025 drawing another line at PBMs’ anti-competitive business tactics, this time to prevent them from owning their own pharmacies. The findings in the previously mentioned FTC report (along with separate reports from US House Oversight, New York Times and Wall Street Journal) agree this vertical integration has forced many pharmacies to close, therefore increasing drug prices and decreasing patient access. This Bill is to dismantle the vertical integration of PBMs to prevent PBMs from excessively compensating themselves for dispensing drugs at their own pharmacy while severely underpaying pharmacies that are not owned by them.
How You Can Help
If you have experienced the benefits of using a local, independent pharmacy you know it is imperative for communities to continue to have them. The Arkansas Pharmacists Association continues to be loyal advocates for fair practices within pharmacy and has excellent resources available. Search your local representatives here and ask for their help to stop big insurance companies and PBM middlemen from owning pharmacies, causing a significant rise in drug costs and disallowing the freedom to choose your pharmacy. Sign this petition to demand an end to conflicts of interest and enable fair drug prices, real competition and quality care.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our pharmacists, Kristy Reed, Melanie Weathers, or Mollie Wolfe. We would love to answer any questions and help keep you updated on what is happening in pharmacy.
Resources
Comentarios