The National Community Pharmacy Association says a smaller healthcare reform bill introduced by Rep. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) could greatly benefit community pharmacies.
H.R. 4813 includes several provisions that strengthen the ability of community pharmacies to provide services to their patients.
The bill would:
- Exempt community pharmacies from the Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Orthotics, Prosthetics and Supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation requirement, which critics say threatens seniors’ access to diabetes testing supplies and other essential medical products;
- Expose expensive, hidden costs imposed on patients and health plan sponsors by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs); and
- Provide reasonable pharmacy reimbursement (a federal upper limit of 300 percent of the weighted average manufacturer price) for Medicaid generic prescription drugs.
“As the leaders in the House, Senate and White House attempt to conclude their comprehensive healthcare reform efforts, we hope that they follow Berry’s lead,” said Bruce T. Roberts, the NCPA's executive vice president and CEO. “Pharmacists should be exempted from the ill-advised DMEPOS accreditation requirement.
Fair reimbursement levels for Medicaid generic prescription drugs will allow community pharmacies to continue offering those services to the nation's most economically disadvantaged citizens, he said.
The NCPA represents more than 22,700 independent community pharmacies, pharmacy franchises and chains whioch account for an $88 billion healthcare marketplace, employ more than 65,000 pharmacists and dispense more than 40 percent of all retail prescriptions.