SCPC Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order Calling on HHS and Congress to Improve the IRA, Rein In PBMs and Lower Drug Costs

DATE: April 17, 2025

The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), the leading national voice for the long-term care (LTC) pharmacy community, released the following statement applauding President Trump’s recent Executive Order aimed at improving the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), lowering drug prices and addressing the harmful actions of PBMs.

“For far too long, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have taken advantage of the lack of transparency in our healthcare system, establishing monopolistic control over the delivery of pharmacy services and significantly increasing what Americans pay for prescription medications. Anticompetitive PBMs practices have created a healthcare crisis, threatening the survival of pharmacies, including those that provide essential services to millions of patients in long-term care.”

“We commend President Trump’s efforts to address harmful PBM behavior by restoring competition, ensuring fair contracting and promoting transparency in our healthcare system. We encourage leaders in Congress—especially those who have already been championing PBM reform—to heed the President’s call for action and deliver meaningful reform that protects LTC pharmacies and the millions of seniors they serve.”

“LTC pharmacies are uniquely impacted by both aggressive PBM actions and recent Medicare Part D drug pricing policy changes included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that threaten the viability of many essential pharmacies across the country. The current Medicare pharmacy payment model is broken and forces LTC pharmacies to dispense medicines at a loss while PBMs and Part D plans reap massive profits. This problem will only worsen when new Medicare negotiated drug prices take effect in January 2026.”

“While there are many details for Congress to consider, Members must quickly follow through on President Trump’s Executive Order to protect seniors’ access to medicines and essential pharmacy services. We look forward to working with the White House, HHS and Congressional leaders to establish meaningful policy solutions that ensure the continued delivery of quality long-term care, support continued pharmaceutical innovation and protect the needs of America’s most vulnerable patients.”

Statement should be attributed to Alan Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC.

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