NACDS to 118th Congress: Now, let’s get PBM reform done

Steve Anderson, president and CEO of The National Association of Chain Drug Stores provided the following comment about the post-election responsibilities of the 118th Congress:

“Soon a new administration and a new Congress will assume the mantle of leadership. Our nation’s pharmacies and pharmacy teams—the face of neighborhood healthcare—stand ready to work with them for sound policy of importance to all Americans.

“However, urgent needs remain—and unavoidable duties call—for the current 118th Congress. Congress already has done the hard work to develop and to forge bipartisan consensus on how to reform the tactics of market-dominant pharmaceutical middlemen—PBMs. More than two-thirds of voters agree—Congress should consider PBM reform to be ‘must-pass legislation’ before concluding work in 2024. By the same margin they agree that their member of Congress should ‘do whatever it takes’ to ensure Congress enacts such legislation in 2024.

[Read more: NACDS CEO reiterates association’s fight against PBMs, makes push for provider status]

“Congress cannot leave undone and further delayed the reforms that will reduce Americans’ prescription drug costs, protect access to necessary medications and to pharmacies of choice, give pharmacies a chance against underhanded PBM tactics, and preserve the vitality of entire communities.

“We thank those in the 118th Congress who have led boldly on this issue, and we thank Congress for embracing reforms overwhelmingly and on a bipartisan basis. It is time to finish the job.”