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ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Harris-Walz campaign’s focus on independent pharmacies as part of their rural health agenda is very much on target and another encouraging sign that pharmacy benefit manager reform is gaining momentum, said the National Community Pharmacists Association today.
“Independent community pharmacies are often the only accessible health care provider in rural areas. These pharmacies are access points for medications and they also serve as health hubs for accessible care and professional advice,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Unfortunately, the big PBMs and insurance plans are forcing many to close their doors with patient steering, back-door fees, and other monopolistic practices. As a result, the number of pharmacy deserts is growing, and millions of patients are being stranded without a local pharmacy.”
Hoey reacted to an announcement by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who said he and Vice President Kamala Harris would seek to increase the number of rural pharmacies by 3,000 if they are elected next month. NCPA sent letters to both presidential campaigns in September explaining how PBMs harm consumers and independent pharmacies and urging support for reforms.
“Independent pharmacies are under threat everywhere, not just in rural areas, and we are very grateful to have strong bipartisan support in Congress for PBM reform,” said Hoey. “We’re very encouraged by the Harris-Walz proposals, and we would urge them to work with Republicans and Democrats to prevent PBMs and insurance plans from driving more independent pharmacies out of business.”
