Stubborn Fact: PBM-Administered Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards Will Provide Seniors Discounts Averaging 17 – 35 Percent
Washington, DC; 05.26.04 — Mark Merritt, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement regarding the new Medicare drug discount card program:
” With all the attention being paid to Medicare drug discount cards and the cost of prescription drugs, one stubborn fact remains apparent: with discounts expected to average 17 percent for brand-name drugs and 35 percent for generics, America’s PBMs are helping to deliver real savings to seniors.
“Because of Medicare prescription drug discount cards, seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries will be paying less over the next 18 months for their prescription drugs. PBMs have helped drive down the cost of prescription drugs for over 200 million Americans in other parts of the system and we’re proud to be doing our part for seniors through the Medicare drug discount card program.
“Given that not one prescription has yet to be dispensed to seniors under this program, perhaps opponents should hit pause, take a deep breath, and think about what this program really means for beneficiaries, particularly the assistance provided to low-income seniors.
“Nor should we forget why this new program has been sorely needed. We already know what a world without PBMs working to lower drug prices for consumers looks like. Just ask any senior or uninsured American without drug coverage. They pay the highest drug prices of all at the retail pharmacy counter Ă¢?? or go without prescription drugs altogether.
“The politically-motivated attacks on the Medicare drug discount card program underscore just how valuable this program will prove to be to seniors over the long term Ă¢?? and how frightening that is to some politicians and their allies.”
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The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) is the national trade association representing America’s pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA member companies provide pharmaceutical care management services to more than 200 million Americans.
Contact Information:
Phil Blando
202-207-3614