Leaders from three leading non-profit business associations issued a united statement on Congress’ failure to include pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform legislation in the government spending package this week, despite clear, enormous bipartisan support to do so.
Transparency-Rx CEO/Managing Director Joseph M. Shields, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) President and CEO James Gelfand, and the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) Interim President and CEO David Gaugh, issued the following joint statement:
“It is no doubt disappointing that, despite broad bipartisan and bicameral support, Congress did not include PBM market reforms in the legislation,” they stated.
“We thank our committee and member champions for their tireless work to advance PBM transparency and accountability reforms in commercial, federal and government markets and will continue to push for PBM reform this year. Comprehensive PBM reform is critical to protect the free market, expand patient access to lower-priced generics and biosimilars, and prevent disparities. Drug costs for patients and plans can and should be transparent and affordable, providing demonstrable savings for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, employers and their employees, local businesses, and the federal and state governments,” they added.
“We remain steadfast in our drive for Congress to pass reform, particularly the policies reflected in S. 1339, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, and policies to delink PBM revenues from fees paid by drug manufacturers to PBMs. We will continue to work with Congress to enact these reforms and reduce patient spending on lifesaving medicines this year.”