BOSTON — National Association of Chain Drug Stores President and CEO Steven C. Anderson issued the following statement today as the Patients Not PBMs Coalition calls for pharmacy benefit manager reform at an event at the Massachusetts State House:

“The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) stands strongly with other pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform advocates today at the Massachusetts State House.

“Our message is simple. Now is the time for the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives to stop pharmaceutical benefit manipulation from inflating Bay Staters’ prescription drug prices and from jeopardizing access to trusted pharmacies and needed medications.

“NACDS includes chains with as few as four pharmacies as well as those operating nationally. Our national perspective shows us that confronting the PBMs’ self-enriching tactics requires state and federal legislators and policymakers to do their part. This is the only way to prevent PBMs from shifting their profit-grabbing tactics to areas without reform. The people of Massachusetts and their pharmacies need immediate action in Boston.

“NACDS appreciates the work of the members of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, and especially House Chair John Lawn and Senate Chair Cindy Friedman. For the people of Massachusetts and for the pharmacies they count on, it is time to stand up to the PBMs and it is time for PBM reform now.”