Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy responds to passage of 21st Century Cures Act

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) has passed the 21st Century Cures Act, but it is concerned that more needs to be done to address prescription drug abuse.

The House of Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed the act, which included a provision to prevent prescription drug abuse of at-risk Medicare beneficiaries.

“The Academy is pleased H.R.6 included Sec. 3141, which calls for combatting prescription drug abuse by establishing a program in which at-risk Medicare beneficiaries acquire frequently abused drugs through a designated prescriber and pharmacy,” AMCP CEO Edith A. Rosato said. “The inclusion of this drug management program is an important step in fighting the growing epidemic of opioid abuse. However, AMCP is concerned that several onerous requirements in this section may discourage Medicare Part D plans from pursuing these programs.

The legislation also stripped an earlier provision addressing payment fraud in the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program.

“In another area, AMCP is disappointed that H.R. 6 stripped an earlier provision that would have authorized Part D plans to suspend payment of claims to pharmacies suspected of a credible allegation of fraud,” Rosato said. “AMCP will continue to work with Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on establishing drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries that replicate the successes of those in the Medicaid program and private sector, as well as programs that successfully combat fraud and abuse in Medicare Part D.”