BESSEMER, Ala. – American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. (APCI) is urging Congress to approve the reintroduced Pharmacists Fight Back Act—a pair of coordinated federal bills aimed at reforming pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices.
These measures represent some of the most significant federal reforms to date, designed to reduce prescription drug costs, curb exploitative PBM tactics, and safeguard patient access to essential care.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) announced new legislation during a Capitol Hill press conference aimed at addressing PBM abuses in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). These programs represent some of the nation’s largest and most costly healthcare systems. By reducing PBM manipulation, the bills seek to deliver meaningful savings for patients at the pharmacy counter and for taxpayers funding federal health plans.
Ahead of the announcement, APCI leadership and member pharmacists from across the country participated in a briefing and attended the press event, underscoring the real-world impact PBM practices have on patient care and public spending.
"PBM abuses are not victimless—they raise costs for patients, reduce access to care, and drive up spending across government healthcare programs," said Greg Reybold, APCI vice president of Healthcare Policy. "This legislation offers practical, targeted solutions that will save patients money at the pharmacy counter and protect taxpayer dollars."
The bills establish transparent, market-based index pricing that eliminates PBM markups that inflate drug costs and ensure patients see prices based on real market values. By prohibiting PBM steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, patients regain the freedom to choose the pharmacy that best meets their needs, including critical access in rural and underserved communities.
Additionally, the bills call for PBMs to share a portion of manufacturer rebates directly with patients at the pharmacy counter, with the rest used to reduce plan premiums, returning substantial savings to consumers, and reducing government program spending.
Finally, robust oversight and penalties included in the bills ensure PBMs cannot sidestep the new protections, safeguarding taxpayer investments in federal healthcare programs.
"The Pharmacists Fight Back Act bills strengthen the entire healthcare system," said APCI CEO Tim Hamrick. "When patients pay less and federal programs operate more efficiently, every taxpayer benefits."
APCI provided detailed analysis and real-world insight to Congressional offices throughout the policy development process, ensuring the legislation directly addresses the financial pressures patients and taxpayers face due to unchecked PBM practices.
The original 2024 Pharmacists Fight Back Act earned 55 bipartisan cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, underscoring the issue's appeal as a consumer-focused reform. APCI urges returning cosponsors and new representatives alike to support this expanded, two-bill package.
Supporters can learn more or contact their representatives by visiting bit.ly/pharmacists-fight-back.
