Two bills in the Alabama state Senate aim to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), potentially impacting prescription drug costs for consumers. While proponents argue the bills will help local pharmacies compete, opponents warn of increased fees and limited patient options.
Two bills now in the state Senate would clamp down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, a kind of intermediary between drug companies and local pharmacies.) - There’s been a long-standing call to reform prescription drug care management in Alabama. Two bills now in the state Senate would clamp down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, a kind of intermediary between drug companies and local pharmacies.
This is why Jones says he sponsored Senate Bill 93. He says this bill would prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers from reimbursing pharmacies less than their actual acquisition costs. Robin Stone, Executive Director of the Alliance of Alabama HealthCare Consumers, says they oppose both SB 93 and SB 99. Stone says they believe these bills would impose, at minimum, a $10.64 fee on every prescription dispensed in our state. The new prescription fee is estimated to cost Alabamians at least an extra $900 per person or $3,600 for a family annually.
Stone says to pretend that these costs will be absorbed by some out of state PMBs is just not reality.
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HEALTHCARE REFORM CONSUMER IMPACT
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