The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has expressed support for a new provision in a congressional spending bill that would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish clearer contract terms under Medicare Part D. The bill also includes a mechanism allowing pharmacies to report contract violations.
In a statement, NCPA said, “This is a major win for independent and long-term care community pharmacy, and we are very pleased to have worked with congressional leadership to advance it. For many decades, PBMs have had the advantage of inconsistent, vague, and unreasonable contract terms that they would interpret and enforce in ways that can’t be explained or justified. This reform will create clarity and enforceability, and that should reduce the confusion that PBMs have used to their advantage.”
The association also thanked several members of Congress for their roles in advancing the measure. “We are very grateful to our pharmacy champions, including Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and other leaders in Congress for including this language in the funding bill, and we strongly urge all members of the House to pass and send it to the Senate.”
NCPA represents more than 18,900 pharmacies across the United States employing over 235,000 people. The organization advocates on behalf of community pharmacists who serve as accessible health care providers.
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