PBM Reform Helps All Americans Save on Drug Costs
Help Forward Pharmacy Serve You!
Tell Congress that the costs of medications continue to increase and that decisive action is needed to protect patients, taxpayers, and small business pharmacies from predatory business practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Use this link to urge support for bi-partisan bills to help protect patients and pharmacies.
What is a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM)?
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third-party companies working on behalf of insurance providers to be the go-between when negotiating with pharmaceutical manufacturers. They act on behalf of the insurance company to maximize insurance company profits and minimize payments for care delivered to patients.
What is a DIR Fee?
Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) Fees are reducing payments to pharmacies for the medications dispensed to patients, often to a level below what the pharmacy paid the wholesaler, not to mention the time, labor, and resources it takes to fill a prescription.
Pharmacies are having to turn away long-standing patients because their prescriptions would cause a substantial loss to the pharmacy. Imagine if your boss was able to dip into your paycheck taking out some for themselves on the grounds of undefined performance metrics!
How does this hurt patients?
Pharmacies want to continue to meet the needs of their patients and serve their community, but need help to do so when insurance companies withhold some of our revenue (which we use to operate). DIR fees unfairly force pharmacies to lose money and, as a result, put pharmacies at risk of going out of business. We need fair reimbursement from insurance companies and PBMs in order to operate and serve our patients and community, which is why we are asking you to help Forward Pharmacy better serve you by asking our state senators to take a stand to protect Wisconsinites from PBMs.
It’s easy to do so – just click on this link to send a message to your representatives today. Make your voice heard!