IPA Holds PBM Advocacy Day at the Capitol

• By: IPA
• On: 04/19/2024 12:54:01
• In: Advocacy
• Comments: 0

This week, pharmacy advocates from every corner of the state gathered under the gold dome for IPA's PBM Advocacy Day to support IPA's pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform legislation—HF 2401. In response to substantial opposition from insurers and PBMs, IPA issued a call to action, urging the Senate to take the bill up for a vote before the session ends.
 
In addition to PBM Advocacy Day, IPA simultaneously issued a sign-on letter in support of the bill. In total, 330 individuals and 298 pharmacies in 95 of Iowa's 99 counties signed on to support the passage of HF 2401. Pharmacists delivered this sign-on letter to their state Senators, demonstrating the widespread support of reform by pharmacists, patients, and healthcare stakeholders.

The bill proposes several measures to increase PBM transparency, lower prescription drug costs to patients, and ensure financial viability for Iowa's pharmacies. Namely, the bill: ensures pharmacists receive payment for services (like test and treat) performed within their scope of practice when other practitioners are paid for the same services; implements a pass-through payment model to increase transparency and lower insurance premiums; and strengthens the appeals process so when pharmacies receive reimbursement below the cost to purchase a drug, a process exists for the pharmacy to appeal and break even.

IPA encourages members to continue advocating for the bill's passage to their state Senators. Contact Seth Brown (sbrown@iarx.org) for more information.