I was so glad to read that legislators in Harrisburg passed legislation that will allow the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to better regulate so-called pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—and I’m thankful to Gov. Shapiro for signing this much-needed bill into law. 

These insurer-owned groups have been using an array of unfair, overly restrictive policies against patients and independent pharmacies across the commonwealth for far too long.

Among other reforms, the new state law will prohibit PBMs from reimbursing the pharmacies they own at higher rates than the independent, community pharmacies that act as competitors. This practice has not only put the squeeze on local pharmacies, forcing many of them out of business for good, but it has also unnecessarily restricted choice and access for patients.

As glad as I am that Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking real steps to reform PBM policies and protect patients as well as our local pharmacies, this is still a national issue that needs a national solution. Hopefully, our elected officials in Congress—including Sen. Fetterman and Sen. Casey—will take a cue from state lawmakers and work together to pass true PBM reform at the federal level this year.

Cara Ross
Dillsburg, PA