the PUTTblog

Lauren's Legislative Update: June 2022

In our battle against PBM dirty practices, it’s important to remember our friends across the country who were able to accomplish the goal of passing independent pharmacy-friendly PBM regulation at the state level this year.

As pharmacy owners, it’s easy to focus on the losses we see in our stores, whether it’s a long-time customer who is now in a plan we can’t take, or seeing a dreaded negative reimbursement (or DIR fee report.) That makes the victories that much sweeter, so don’t miss a chance to uplift our friends. All of these victories are in part because all of YOU continue to get loud, and demand action for your patients and your pharmacies.
We all know it’s going to take every one of our regulatory agencies to try to beat the PBM Whack-a-mole game.

Lauren's Legislative Update: May 2022

Many PUTT members use the summer legislative break to invite lawmakers into their stores. This is an excellent opportunity to show your elected officials how many potential voters from their district you interact with daily, so be sure to take advantage if you can.

One highly important thing to remember when discussing proposed legislation with legislators is the matter of “agreed upon bills”. This does not refer to bills "agreed upon" between Independent Pharmacies and PCMA and/or the Health Insurance Plan lobbyists. “Agreed upon bills” means bills agreed upon between business & labor groups like chambers of commerce and unions. Try to make sure you have support from entities of both sides to drive home any reform points. No one assumes we will agree upon a PCMA-supported bill.

Two states that seem to be continuously on the cutting edge of regulation and reform at the state level are Louisiana and Texas. Here are three different trends we believe should be on everyone’s radar:

A Drugmaker’s Tale: How $34 Billion in Rebates Is Keeping Commercial Insurers and PBMs Flush with Cash While Hanging Everyone Else Out to Dry

Last month, Janssen Pharmaceuticals released its 5th annual U.S. Transparency Report with a notable new addition: a detailed synopsis of how rebates, now hard-wired into insurance benefit design, essentially derail patients from accessing affordable medication.

The Other March Madness: PUTT's PBM Legislation Scouting Report

As March is storming "in like a lion", recent developments at both the state and federal levels may have PBMs feeling buffaloed. And while February's FTC hearing was deadlocked thanks to the “no” votes of 2 FTC commissioners. PUTT, along with multiple other advocacy organizations responded immediately with statements condemning the move.

Keeping the Pressure on PBM Reform: Our 2022 Priorities

January marks the start of legislative sessions for most states in the U.S. and is one of the busiest times at PUTT. During the legislative season we monitor hearings and weigh in where invited (or not); seek out and provide evidence where invited (or not); and publish information and documents to help educate legislators and the public understand how PBM abuse harms patients, their employers, and the healthcare system.

The Battle for America's Prescription Drug System

Prescription drug cost is one of the few issues everyone can agree needs addressing, yet very few politicians seem able to abandon party-line rhetoric to confront the issue.

The Highs, The Lows, & The WTH’s: PUTT’s 2021 Year in Review

If you thought 2021, aka the follow-up to When Satan met 2020, seemed like a mixed bag of forward momentum and frustrating setbacks in the move to reform PBMs, you’re in good company.

PBM Reform Is Getting Real

It’s feeling a lot like PBM reform is getting really real as the largest pharmacy benefit managers, especially those that might own or exert enormous influence over large retail pharmacies, come under fire for issues related to real-world concerns for patient safety, drug pricing and limiting access to medications.

Yes, Virginia, PBMs Really Do Suck

Like many community pharmacies, Newman Family Pharmacy is the kind of pharmacy patients choose for its incomparable commitment to service and care.