Tennessee U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) recently joined three of his colleagues in introducing the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act.
The bill, according to Rose’s office, would “modernize Medicare and prevent pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from discriminating against pharmacies that are willing to contract with them, helping seniors to seek care closer to home.”
“Under Medicare Part D, plan sponsors are required to have standard terms and conditions that are “reasonable and relevant” and allow any pharmacy willing to accept the terms and conditions to participate in the sponsor’s network. This bill would explicitly ensure that PBMs are required to comply with this standard, bringing them in line with plan sponsors,” Rose’s office explained.
If enacted, the bill would “improve options and access to prescription drugs for seniors, bring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in alignment with Medicare plans, and ultimately allow seniors to shop at their local pharmacy,” Rose’s office added.
U.S. Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA-01), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) joined Rose in introducing the bill, which was sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee and Ways and Means Committee upon introduction.
The National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, and the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc have since supported the bill.
American Pharmacies President Laird Leavoy applauded the “vital legislation” in a statement, saying it would “increase transparency into the relationships between insurers, PBMs and their affiliated pharmacies and protect the right of patients to use their pharmacy of choice.”
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a companion bill in the Senate earlier this year.
If enacted, Blackburn said the bill would “help put patients at the center and promote local pharmacies in Tennessee and across the nation.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
