Prescription drug access is a major concern for patients like me. As someone who lives with diabetes, I take prescriptions daily to help manage my symptoms, and the harmful policies that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) use to cut costs and boost profits have me gravely concerned about my ability to stay on top of the prescription drug regimen my doctors have put me on.
It isn’t right that PBMs can interfere in doctors’ decisions by enforcing overly restrictive policies. Both policies reduce or limit patients’ access, leading to delays or interruptions in care that can undermine healthcare outcomes.
PBMs are also denying patients the critical manufacturer rebates and discounts that could help lower our out-of-pocket costs. Instead, these rebates, which PBMs get during their negotiations with drug manufacturers, are being used to inflate PBMs’ already massive profits.
Patients need our lawmakers in Washington to take the threat PBMs pose more seriously. Congress must pass PBM reform that limits PBMs’ control over patients and helps ensure that more of us can benefit from the rebates and savings currently being used to boost PBM profits. Hopefully, Senator Cassidy, Senator Kennedy, and Leader Scalise can help ensure that happens this year.
Caleb Seals
