Patients are facing barriers to accessing the health care they need. Companies called "pharmacy benefit managers" (PBMs) are major contributors to rapidly rising prescription drug prices, acting as "middlemen" between insurers and drug manufacturers. In the end, PBMs save corporations money but increase costs for patients.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently calling on all Americans to submit feedback on how PBMs' business practices are affecting patients, pharmacies, and employers through April 25, 2022. The information collected will help the FTC determine whether they should investigate PBM business practices and how it should be done.
You have an opportunity to let your voice be heard and help make health care more accessible for patients. Leave a public comment for the Federal Trade Commission and tell them that pharmacy benefit managers are creating more barriers for patients to access and afford the care they need.
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are major contributors to rapidly rising prescription drug prices. PBMs negotiate with drug manufacturers for rebates on prescription drugs, generating savings that should be, but too often are not, passed on to patients. In return, PBMs are profiting through these rebates while patients with rare and chronic conditions are forced to purchase treatments at full price.
PBMs are directly contributing to greater barriers to care for patients as they treat their chronic conditions, negatively impacting physician and patient efforts to manage symptoms and health outcomes. Many patients may be forced to abandon their treatment if they can no longer afford it. Please take action today.
