WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, the National Grocers Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations contend that PBM Reforms in Medicare and Medicaid must be a priority as Congress nears a government-funding endgame.

“As the U.S. Congress works diligently to prevent a government shutdown and decide what priorities to include in a potential agreement, PBM reform in Medicare and Medicaid is a must for Americans, for communities, and for their pharmacies,” the associations said in a joint statement issued on Monday. “Failure to include these reforms, which Congress has advanced on a broad and bipartisan basis, would be a major victory for the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that employ harmful tactics that inflate prescription drug costs, force pharmacy closures, and block access to Americans’ pharmacy of choice.

“Our coalition, which represents pharmacies and pharmacists across all practice settings, has aligned around PBM reforms in Medicare and Medicaid that are urgently needed and widely supported. We appreciate the leadership and hard work that have gone into the many bipartisan PBM reform legislative efforts this congress. We reiterate that these reforms are needed without delay.”

Earlier this month, the coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders urging action, contending that PBM reform is needed to reduce Americans’ prescription drug costs and to sustain health care access. The letter stated:

“Methodically, and with bipartisan and overwhelming support, PBM reforms to protect Americans in Medicare and Medicaid have advanced in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Among the essential reforms advanced in the 118th Congress are:

• Medicaid managed care pharmacy payment reform and a ban on spread pricing;
• Defining and enforcing reasonable and relevant Medicare Part D pharmacy contract terms; and
• Establishing relevant, standardized and transparent pharmacy quality measurements in Medicare Part D.”

The letter went on to warn that “the harmful and aggressive tactics of some PBMs affecting Americans and their pharmacists and pharmacies seem to have gotten even worse,” and concluded that: “Americans deserve and expect protection from inflated prescription drug costs, from forced pharmacy closures, and from barriers to their pharmacy of choice that result from PBM tactics. Please act now: Congress must not delay these crucial reforms in Medicare and Medicaid.”