Friends and neighbors,
A new bipartisan bill in the United States Congress is trying to stop pharmacy benefit managers – the middlemen in the prescription drug ecosystem – from owning pharmacies. The bill is aimed at lowering drug prices and tackling unfair practices that hurt small, independent pharmacies.
You don’t hear about them much, but PBMs play a powerful role in deciding which medicines are covered by insurance and how much they cost. They often steer customers to their own pharmacies, charge higher prices for mail-order services, and make it harder for small pharmacies to compete.
We have seen the results firsthand, because it has devastated rural Minnesota. Last year alone, 19 independent pharmacies closed their doors. Small town pharmacies closing down means people losing access to critical medications and advice, forcing residents to travel long distances. Or worse, go without.
This proposed bill is called the Patients Before Monopolies Act. It would prevent PBMs from owning pharmacies and remove conflicts of interest that play a role in driving up costs for families.
As someone who has long fought for independent pharmacies at the state level, I am glad this effort is gaining traction in Washington D.C. The fact that it has bipartisan support is an important step toward better drug pricing, keeping local pharmacies open, and protecting access to healthcare in Minnesota’s small towns.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out.
God Bless,