NCPA had its 2011 Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. The major pieces of legislation that were pushed were:
1) A push for congress men and women to join the pharmacy caucus. This would demonstrate that the member of congress is publicly saying they are concerned about the issues of pharmacy.
2) The Pharmacy Competition and Consumer Choice Act. House Version: HR 1971, Senate Version: S 1058. These bills aim to make Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) more transparent. To understand more about PBMs read here.
3) The Medicare Access to Diabetes Supplies Act. House Version: HR 1936. In order to try to lower government spending, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) feel that having diabetic supplies covered under Medicare Part D being sold only through those who can bid the lowest price would reduce overall spending. What this means is whoever could offer the lowest Diabetes supplies reimbursement, would get sole Medicare Part D funding to cover the sales. This would mean that only large chain organizations could offer Medicare Part D covered Diabetes supplies without 1) charging patient full market price or 2) selling Diabetes supplies at a business loss. Essentially bottom line cost reduction will reduce availability, which would especially hurt rural areas and independent pharmacies.
4) The Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Benefits Act of 2011. House Version: HR 891. This bill seeks to lower the requirements (conditions and number of drugs) a patient must have in order to have MTMs covered under Medicare Part D. This is to increase the pharmacist's role in MTMs, by allowing more reimbursements for time spend doing MTMs to more patients.
