The National Community Pharmacists Association announced on May 21 that it supports two major pharmacy-related bills being considered by committees in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The PBM Kickback Prohibition Act, known as H.R. 7895 and introduced by Representative Rick Allen, is under review by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. This bill aims to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from paying referral fees or kickbacks to intermediaries such as brokers in exchange for directing insurers or employer health plans to a particular pharmacy benefit manager.
B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association, said, “This scheme between PBMs and some brokers is an indefensible, pay-to-play racket. It’s a clear conflict of interest that makes prescriptions less affordable and it must be eliminated. We’re glad the Committee on Education and the Workforce is moving to prohibit these kickbacks, and that President Trump supports eliminating them as well. NCPA is an eager partner in pushing this policy through the legislative process so it can soon be signed into law.”
A second bill, the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164), formerly called the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacists Services Act, is also being marked up by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Introduced by Representatives Adrian Smith and Brad Schneider with bipartisan support, this legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries easier access to health care services provided by pharmacists—including testing and treatment for COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat—where state law permits those services. The bill would establish direct reimbursement through Medicare Part B for these pharmacist-provided services.
Hoey said about this act: “The Main Street Pharmacy Access Act highlights the important role that pharmacy teams play in communities across the country, filling primary care gaps and providing care beyond the dispensing of critical medications. NCPA is grateful to the Ways and Means Committee for starting the legislative actions needed to get the bill across the finish line, and strongly supports its passage.”
Founded in 1898, according to information released with this announcement, NCPA represents over 18,900 pharmacies employing more than 235,000 individuals nationwide.
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