NASP Works with Coalition to Push for Pharmacy DIR Reform Legislation

The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) recently joined a coalition of stakeholders to introduce and increase awareness of legislation entitled The Pharmacy DIR Reform to Reduce Senior Drug Costs Act (S. 1909 / H.R. 3554). The bill is intended to confront the serious issue of pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees and stop the abuse of pharmacy price concessions charged by third-party middlemen, which have increased 91,500 percent in recent years. The bill received strong bipartisan support from Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and in the House by Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.).

To further increase awareness of the need to pass the legislation, NASP, along with hundreds of other organizations representing community pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, chain pharmacies, patient groups, buying groups, health systems, wholesalers, and business groups, signed on to a letter to Congress that explained how pharmacy DIR fees affect seniors and pharmacies, and also issued a joint press release.

Last Thursday, NASP, along with members of the coalition, gathered at Grubb’s Pharmacy, a locally owned store in Washington, D.C., and walked to the Capitol. The group presented the stakeholder letter of support to bill sponsors. NASP was represented by Julie Allen of Powers Law.

NASP is a strong supporter of this legislation because it seeks to reduce patients’ cost-sharing, prevent plans and pharmacy benefit managers from clawing back fees from pharmacies, promotes price transparency, and establishes consistent pharmacy performance measures that foster quality care and that enhance the viability and predictability of pharmacy operations. We are extremely grateful for the strong support of the coalition.

NASP continues to monitor this legislation and will keep you informed as it moves through the legislative process.