So, Now What??

Many PBM problems can be fixed by legislative and regulatory reform. With the positive press pharmacy has received due to your COVID-19 response, the time has come for pharmacists to reach out to elected officials and regulators and make the case for how pharmacy can help solve many more healthcare problems. Let government officials, and other people of influence, know you can do much more than fight COVID.?

As you interact with government officials it is important you share examples of how the current PBM situation has a negative effect on consumers. The fact that you are often forced to sell medications below cost is sad. But the sadder fact is that most people don’t care about your profitability. The point to be made is that people — shall I say voters — are suffering, and taxpayers are being short changed by your inability to provide the care you are trained to deliver. Keep the focus on helping solve problems that elected officials and regulators confront.?

One great way to do this is to join — and become an active member of — your state pharmacy association.?With your help, your state association can help pass laws, define regulations, and deal with state agencies that decide on practice parameters, reimbursement rates, and other critical issues. I strongly suggest you also join at least one national pharmacy association.?

In addition to government efforts, you should challenge your vendor partners to get involved. Every company that markets a product or service it hopes to sell to you should be actively engaged in helping to pass legislation that will allow you to use your professional skills and be properly reimbursed.?

The time has come for pharmacists to take advantage of the goodwill they have earned during the COVID-19 crisis.

I’d love to hear your feedback.?What are you doing to help solve the problems??What ideas do you have that I could help you share with others??Drop me a note at [email protected]