ARLINGTON, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and CEO Steven Anderson issued a statement Friday following Senate passage of appropriations legislation that includes critical pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms for which NACDS has long advocated. The bill, which passed on a 71-29 vote, now will proceed to the House of Representatives for consideration because it differs from the bill passed by that chamber last week.
Anderson stated:
“NACDS applauds the United States Senate for advancing this appropriations package, just as NACDS praised the House of Representatives for its landmark work in passing similar legislation last week. Among its achievements for the American people, the Congress stands at the brink of delivering the most positive and extensive federal pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms in history.
“By working across the aisle and alongside the Trump Administration, the Senate has brought Congress significantly closer to delivering meaningful PBM reforms that will help lower Americans’ prescription drug costs and strengthen access to pharmacy care in communities nationwide. NACDS now urges the U.S. House of Representatives to act swiftly to send this legislation to President Trump for signature. Bringing long-awaited and increasingly-crucial PBM reforms over the finish line would be a major victory for the American people, and a victory that needs to be secured and celebrated.”
