National LTC Pharmacy Advocacy Group: Capping Seniors’ Out of Pocket Costs as Low as Possible Remains Key Drug Pricing Reform Objective

DATE: February 26, 2020

Washington, DC – With media attention increasingly focused upon the “inflationary rebate” facet of the Senate Finance Committee’s Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 2543), the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) today said capping Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs as low as possible remains a top long-term care (LTC) pharmacy advocacy priority.

“Capping Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs at the lowest possible rate is all about maximizing seniors’ ability to pay for the drugs they require to stay healthy,” said Alan G. Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC, the only national advocacy group dedicated exclusively to representing the legislative and regulatory interests of LTC pharmacies and their elderly patients.

“Following their doctor-prescribed medication regimen should not be just an option — it must be a necessity — and relates not just to quality of life but avoiding costly, burdensome re-hospitalizations,” Rosenbloom continued.

Rosenbloom praised the lower beneficiary out-of-pocket costs contained in the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) vis a vis S. 2543 but suggested there was room for continued negotiation in the weeks ahead.

“The inflation rebate discussion has taken center stage of late, but we will continue to focus attention on the human element of drug pricing reform, and the moral imperative of ensuring America’s seniors don’t have to forego medications simply to afford food,” Rosenbloom concluded.

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The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) is the only national organization exclusively representing the interests of LTC pharmacies. Its members operate in all 50 states and serve 850,000 patients daily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the country. Visit seniorcarepharmacies.org to learn more.