NACDS unveils radio campaign urging Massachusetts to pass PBM reform

In support of pharmacy benefit manager reform legislation in Massachusetts, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores launched this week 60-second and 30-second ads, titled ‘STAND UP’, for Boston news and talk radio stations. The newly-released radio ads urge Massachusetts legislators to stand up for Bay Staters’ care in the face of “pharmaceutical benefit manipulation”—and to enact, without delay, needed PBM reforms in the state. 

The Massachusetts advertising campaign comes as part of NACDS’ broader advocacy work in collaboration with in-state partners. View NACDS’ PBM reform “explainer video”—with customized content unique to Massachusetts—here.

Steve Anderson, president and CEO of NACDS said, “NACDS is calling on the Massachusetts government to prioritize patients, and to pass and enact long-overdue pharmaceutical middleman reforms in the state. Meaningful PBM reform is crucial for Bay Staters’ access to care and to the medications right for them, and for the viability of pharmacies of all sizes on which they rely. Importantly, pharmacies are uniquely positioned to deliver an array of healthcare services, including health screenings, disease management, vaccinations, testing services, patient counseling, essential medications, and more. A recent poll commissioned by NACDS and conducted by Morning Consult found that 86% of adults in Massachusetts say it is very or somewhat easy to access pharmacies, ranking their accessibility the highest among healthcare destinations tested.

“NACDS is here to stand up for the leaders who stand up for patients, pharmacies, employers, taxpayers, communities, and the entire state by enacting, implementing, enforcing, and defending PBM reform laws.”

An overwhelming majority of Massachusetts voters want PBM reform. Nearly 9 in 10 voters are either very or somewhat likely to support Massachusetts legislation that would allow patients to go to the pharmacy of their choice, require PBMs to be more transparent, and prevent PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies below cost, according to research conducted by Breakthrough Research and commissioned by NACDS.

The full text of the ‘STAND UP’ 60-Second Ad is below:

Ever wonder why getting the medicines you need can be so hard? Or why you can't always go to the trusted pharmacy of your choice?

There is a good chance the answer is PBMs, or 'Pharmaceutical Benefit Manipulators.’

These middlemen claim they work behind the scenes to negotiate lower prices with drug makers and they try to convince lawmakers that they are saving money for patients and taxpayers.

[Related: NACDS unleashes new TV ad urging Congress to get PBM reform done]

Sounds great, right? The problem is, PBMs dictate what medicines you can get from what pharmacy—all while pocketing savings that belong to you.

The people of Massachusetts deserve better. And leaders in Boston should agree.

Now it’s up to your legislators and leaders on Beacon Hill to stand up to the manipulators.

Call your state senators and representatives and urge them to put people before PBMs.

Because Bay Staters’ healthcare…belongs to Bay Staters. Not the manipulators.

NACDS said it continues to work at the federal and state levels to confront PBM practices that force patients and others to pay more for their medicines, that limit patients’ access to their pharmacist, that restrict patients’ access to the medicines right for them, and that jeopardize the pharmacies on which patients rely. 

[Read more: Healthcare industry celebrates, honors NACDS’ 90th anniversary, retail pharmacies]