Drug legislation would protect elderly: Letter

DATE: May 29, 2016

It’s no secret the cost of prescription drugs is an issue debated in communities across the country. Part of this national debate includes the cost of drugs made available to seniors through the Medicare Part D benefit, which is why I’d like to thank Congressman Gregg Harper for supporting the bipartisan MAC Transparency Act (H.R. 244).

This legislation aims to stop unfair pricing practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), third party middleman who determine the costs of generic drugs dispensed to those dependent on the management and consulting services of long term care pharmacies (LTCs).

LTC pharmacies — distinctly different from retail pharmacies — serve those seniors residing in skilled nursing or other long term care facilities by providing them with clinical oversight and medication management. However, since they are beholden to PBMs, the prices of prescription drugs are unfairly manipulated with no transparency in their pricing practices.

Prices for the same prescription drug on the same day vary considerably for different payers, which raises questions about the relationship between price variation and actual market conditions. These veiled pricing practices allow PBMs to insufficiently reimburse LTC pharmacies and drive up their own profits — an unfair situation for LTC pharmacies and the vulnerable patients they serve.

Thankfully, Congressman Harper’s decision to support H.R. 244 offers a ray of hope. If passed, this legislation will force PBMs to be more transparent in their pricing practices and ensure Part D Medicare beneficiaries have access to fairly priced prescription medication. I commend him for co-sponsoring legislation that protects the interests of Mississippi’s elderly patient population.

Ronnie Cannon
Pharmacy Partners of Mississippi
Pharmacy Manager
Madison

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