PCMA Response to the Association of Community Pharmacists Congressional Network
‘Let’s Make Seniors the Priority’
(Washington, DC)—The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) today issued the following statement in response to a statement from the Association of Community Pharmacists Congressional Network. PCMA is the national association representing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 200 million Americans with health coverage provided through small businesses, Fortune 500 employers, health insurers, labor unions, and Medicare:
“Medicare prescription drug plans are increasing access and lowering drug costs for seniors and the disabled. A recent PCMA analysis found that Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) are providing seniors with meaningful discounts Ă¢?? an average of 35 percent savings for drugs purchased through retail pharmacies and 46 percent for prescriptions dispensed through mail-service pharmacies. Seniors would have otherwise paid much higher costs at drugstores prior to the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
“Now is the time for drugstores, health plans, PBMs, and others to work together to encourage seniors to take advantage of the program, instead of playing the ‘blame game.’ The new Medicare drug benefit is trying to avoid the mistakes of the Medicaid program, particularly when it comes to paying too much for prescription drugs. The new benefit is good news for seniors and is something to embrace, rather than attack.”
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The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) is the national trade association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA member companies provide pharmaceutical care management services to more than 200 million Americans.
Contact Information:
Phil Blando, 202-207-3614
Charles Coté 202-207-3605