RALEIGH, N.C. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is calling on North Carolina lawmakers to continue to stand up for North Carolinians in the face of “pharmaceutical benefit manipulation” in all its forms.

A newly released PBM reform “explainer video” — with customized content unique to North Carolina — applauds the state government for its continued work to confront the PBM tactics that threaten pharmacies, employers, taxpayers, communities, and the entire state: NORTH CAROLINA “Free Claire” PBM Reform Explainer Video (30 Seconds) on Vimeo.

Steve Anderson

NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson said, “NACDS commends North Carolina leaders for their commitment to deliver on PBM reform. In April, critical PBM reform legislation — North Carolina House Bill 246 (HB 246) — passed the North Carolina House of Representatives with a unanimous 114-0 vote. We urge the North Carolina Senate Committee on Rules and Operations to continue to press for long overdue pharmaceutical middleman reforms by issuing a favorable report recommending passage of HB 246.

“HB 246 is essential for North Carolinians — and for the pharmacies of all sizes and formats on which they rely.”

A poll conducted by Morning Consult and commissioned by NACDS found that 79 percent of North Carolina adults say pharmacists are “very credible” or “somewhat credible” sources when it comes to information about how to save money on prescription drugs – ranking them highest among those tested. NACDS said it is committed to translating that trust into PBM reform solutions.

NACDS is working at the federal and state levels to confront PBM practices that force patients and others to pay more for their medicines, that limit patients’ access to their pharmacist, that restrict patients’ access to the medicines right for them, and that jeopardize the pharmacies on which patients rely. NACDS’ pro-patient and pro-pharmacy Principles of PBM Reform include the following:

• Stop explosive retroactive fees
• Stop below-cost reimbursement
• Stop gaming of performance measures
• Stop “specialty definitions” from steering patients from their pharmacy
• Stop mandatory mail order
• Stop limited networks
• Stop overwhelming audits
• Stop the undercutting of PBM reform laws.