PC encourages all members to contact Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) and thank him for his recent efforts to stand up for independent pharmacies nationwide. He recently submitted an inspiring letter to the editor which was published in the Wall Street Journal. Please contact the Congressman’s Office and convey your appreciation for his support of independent pharmacy: His office number is 202-225-9893 in Washington.

CMS decided to “kick the can down the road” on DIR fees at this time, but noted that the President’s Fiscal Year 2019 Budget included language that all price concessions should be at the point-of-sale. CMS believes the statute provides them with discretion to require that Part D sponsors apply at least a portion of the manufacturer rebates and all pharmacy price concessions they receive to the price of a Part D drug at the point of sale. Any new requirements regarding the application of rebates at the point of sale will be proposed through notice and comment in future rulemaking.

As a reminder to all IPC stores, you have until the close of business Tuesday, January 16, 2018 to submit your comments to The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting its proposed rule that ends the retroactive DIR fees by requiring the PBMs to apply all pharmacy price concessions, including DIR fees, to the price of the drug at the point of sale.

We are in the final stages of the legislative process for AB 315 (Wood, Dahle, Nazarian & Stone) which would require that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) be regulated by the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). Voting will take place as early as Monday, August 27th.

IPC Chairman of the Board, Chris Darling, recently had a visit from Congressman Glenn Thompson!

OH Medicaid Orders All Ohio MCOs to Terminate PBMs Using Spread Pricing; Must Switch to Pass Through Pricing PBM Contracts. Creates Big Improvement Opportunity for MCO Pharmacy Reimbursement