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Arkansas Delegation Responds to Disappointing CMS Rule Change

Statement

Date: May 20, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced their final drug pricing rule, which fails to address the unreasonable direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees levied by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) onto pharmacists. The announcement follows a letter sent by the Arkansas delegation to HHS Secretary Azar in support of the proposed rule, which would have essentially eliminated DIR fees.

Upon the HHS's announcement, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement:

"I am disappointed that the final rule does not provide the relief desperately needed by Arkansas's independent pharmacists and seniors. Pharmacy Benefit Managers continue their efforts to decimate local pharmacy services in rural states like Arkansas by levying unfair and punitive fees long after transactions are final. These actions accomplish nothing but to decrease healthcare access for folks in rural areas, exterminate small businesses, and grant PBMs with a major windfall. I hope HHS will closely examine PBMs' actions to better understand their widespread damage to patients, pharmacists, and rural America."


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