Utah Pharmacy Association

https://ncpa.org/newsroom/qam/2024/10/01/once-again-gavin-newsom-sides-pbms-squeezing-pharmacies

Once again, Gavin Newsom sides with the PBMs squeezing pharmacies Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) of California has once again sided with his insurance firm benefactors and vetoed a PBM reform bill that could have made a real difference for community pharmacies and patients. This is Newsom’s second time in three years to veto a common sense PBM reform bill. The bill, intr...

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/09/20/new-idaho-law-to-regulate-pharmacy-benefit-managers-will-it-reduce-prescription-drug-costs/

New Idaho law to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. Will it reduce prescription drug costs? • Idaho Capital Sun A new Idaho law seeks to reform pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. That comes as PBMs, meant to reduce drug costs, are under scrutiny.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/politics/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-pharmacy-reimbursements/91-336c4f68-fea3-4e87-9d5f-3150dfccf891

Arkansas lawmakers approve emergency ruling for pharmacy reimbursements Pharmacists met with lawmakers at the State Capitol to discuss an emergency rule to help them deal with pharmacy benefit managers and the associated costs.

FTC Sues Prescription Drug Middlemen for Artificially Inflating Insulin Drug Prices. This is good news for pharmacy.

FTC Sues Prescription Drug Middlemen for Artificially Inflating Insulin Drug Prices Today, the Federal Trade Commission brought action against the three largest prescription drug benefit managers (PBMs)—Caremark Rx, Express Scripts (ESI), and OptumRx—and their affiliated group pur

We were made aware that there were a number of pharmacies, both chain and independents that did not receive Medicaid payments this week. If you are one of these pharmacies, know that Medicaid is aware and working to resolve this as soon as possible.

Arkansas officials on Tuesday ordered four nationwide pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to stop paying Arkansas pharmacies below the legally required amount for prescription drugs and to pay a cumulative $1.47 million in fines. The UPhA has been working closely with state government and legislators to continue to make changes regarding PBM's. Learn about our latest meetings and changes we are working toward in our next Member newsletter.

Arkansas orders four pharmacy benefit managers to pay $1.47M in fines for underpaying drugstores • Arkansas Advocate In June, the Insurance Department was receiving 1,500 complaints per month about insurance companies illegally paying pharmacies below NADAC prices.

We appreciate all those that attended our Pharmacy Round Table Meeting with Rep Celeste Maloy last week in Cedar City. We are happy to provide her team with great information and data as she works with Rep Buddy Carter and Rep Diana Harshbarger on PBM legislation in Washington DC.

Thank you Governor Spencer Cox. We appreciate the opportunity to work with different agencies of government. Although this is not an ideal situation, having great teams to work with makes this more manageable.

Pharmacy and Retailer Thank You v2 Thank you to the Utah Pharmacy Association members and the Utah Retail Merchants Association Members from Governor Spencer J. Cox regarding the cyber attack ...

https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-crapo-call-for-swift-passage-of-bipartisan-pbm-reforms
The Utah Pharmacy Association applauds the bipartisan commitment of Wyden and to move quickly on reform. PBM practices drive up costs and steer patients to their own pharmacies, limiting patient access to the local pharmacies they rely on. Congress should act now.

Wyden, Crapo Call for Swift Passage of Bipartisan PBM Reforms | The United States Senate Committee on Finance Wyden, Crapo Call for Swift Passage of Bipartisan PBM Reforms

Social Services Appropriation Committee meeting asking for an increase to the Medicaid Dispensing Fee. Thanks to Rep Ward and Sheldon Birch for coming to speak to this item today.

Many times a legislative committee meeting with minimal people is very beneficial.

Questionable practices steer patients to their affiliated pharmacies, making it difficult for patients to access the drugs they need from their local pharmacy. Rural pharmacies and their patients are hit hard. -affiliated pharmacies are making 18 to 109 times more profit from the cost of the drugs than the typical community pharmacy. Pass reform. READ MORE:

Cut out the middleman and get prescription drug prices down Our great country was founded on hard work and competition.

Thank you to all those that participated in our Mid-Year CE Meeting today. Education and networking was great. We’ll see you at our next event!

The Mid-Year Meeting is underway this morning. Great education and a great speaker line-up today.

Thank you to all our Pharmacy Technicians. Your work is invaluable to the profession. Happy Pharmacy Technician Day.

We would like to recognize all pharmacy technicians today

You are a valuable and important part of Pharmacy, thank you for all you do!

https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/the-role-of-pharmacy-benefit-managers-in-prescription-drug-markets-part-ii-not-what-the-doctor-ordered/
The current issues with PBM's continue to be a recognized problem. The federal government held another discussion in committee today. State governments and federal governments continue to have discussions on what can be done to help pharmacies stay in business. You can hear the federal house oversight committee discuss this today.

The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Prescription Drug Markets Part II: Not What the Doctor Ordered - United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

The Division has received information that since July 12th, six Utah pharmacies have been burglarized and thousands of pills have been stolen. It appears the burglaries may be related. The burglars appear to be targeting independent pharmacies and seeking Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, and Adderall. In all cases, the burglars are smashing windows, staying low--out of sight from the cameras, and wearing gloves and masks. If you have any information related to these burglaries, please contact DEA Special Agent Jeremy Crowther at [email protected] or 406-598-7597.

https://ncpa.org/newsroom/qam/2023/07/19/ftc-vote-today-could-smash-one-more-line-defense-pbms
The Federal Trade Commission is scheduled to vote today on whether or not to reverse course on prior statements that opposed mandatory PBM transparency and disclosure requirements. The vote, if successful, will effectively remove a major line of defense for PBMs that promote one-sided business relationships, stifle competition and reduce patient choice.

FTC vote today could smash one more line of defense for PBMs The Federal Trade Commission is scheduled to vote today on whether or not to reverse course on prior statements that opposed mandatory PBM transparency and disclosure requirements. The vote, if successful, will effectively remove a major line of defense for PBMs that promote one-sided business relat...

Special thanks to Farmer & Chemist for your lunch sponsorship today.

Special thanks to all our vendors at this years convention. We appreciate your particpation and support!

Morning convention education includes the Top 100 Drugs with

Strategies for Leaders to Opitimize Team Performance with Kyle Turner.

The UPhA Annual Convention is underway this weekend in St. George. Educate, Network, & Enjoy!

Register today for the UPhA Annual Convention. Registration closes soon.