NASHVILLE – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is applauding the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) for taking important action to help protect Tennesseans and the pharmacies serving them as the face of neighborhood healthcare.

On November 15, NACDS submitted a letter in response to TDCI’s request for comments on its proposed emergency adoption of rules regarding enforceable pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform regulations.

NACDS said, “[We] applaud TDCI for recognizing the need to enforce pro-pharmacy regulations that not only serve to reform and provide transparency into harmful PBM practices but also serve to advance a measurable and meaningful positive impact on pharmacy operations and reimbursement [creating an environment for] pharmacists to better meet the needs of the patients they serve.”

In the letter, NACDS also noted the critical need for greater PBM oversight, calling for additional provisions to Public Chapter 1070 that “establish and grant oversight authority to the Commissioner over the PBM appeal process and provisions that would prohibit a PBM from shifting the cost of services related to an appeal to the pharmacy regardless of the outcome.”

NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson said, “Tennesseans rely on the accessible, quality, and equitable care services provided by NACDS members. With these proposed emergency rules, Tennessee is taking the necessary steps to help preserve patients’ access to the pharmacy of their choice. Tennessee is putting patients first by confronting the manipulation and complexities that PBMs inject into the system for their own benefit.

“We thank the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance; the Tennessee Pharmacists Association; Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Cameron Sexton (R); and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R) for their continued efforts to help bring transparency to harmful PBM practices and to help keep pharmacies’ doors open to the Tennesseans they proudly serve.”

NACDS’ comments are a continuation of the Association’s ongoing advocacy for the adoption and enforcement of pro-patient, pro-pharmacy PBM reform and transparency measures in Tennessee. Over the course of the 2022 legislative session, NACDS provided comments to various stakeholders and legislators urging TDCI to establish additional measures to help protect pharmacy reimbursement and patient access alike.