Latest Updates

AmerisourceBergen is a member of the Alliance to Modernize Prescribing Information (AMPI) – a group of pharmaceutical stakeholders with a common interest in advancing regulatory or legislative reforms to facilitate the dissemination of FDA-approved pharmaceutical labeling information via modern digital platforms. For more information on the issue, please visit AMPI’s website.

On May 24th, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2022, which would empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to increase drug pricing transparency and hold PBMs in both commercial and government sponsored/funded plans accountable for “unfair and deceptive practices that drive up the costs of prescription drugs at the expense of consumers.”

On May 5, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security held a hearing titled, “Ensuring Fairness and Transparency in the Market for Prescription Drugs,” which “examine[d] steps Congress can take to increase transparency in drug prices, require PBMs to operate fairly, and ensure the FTC has the authority it needs to stop unfair practices in the prescription drug market.”

CMS issued its Final Medicare Advantage and Part D rule, which includes changes to Part D plan contracting with pharmacies – though Part D contracts will not reflect the changes until CY 2024. The good news is that CMS’ action lays out the details of a concrete, significant step in DIR fees-related reform for which AmerisourceBergen, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Elevate Provider Network, and the pharmacy, physician and pharmaceutical industry has advocated for several years.

Urge your U.S. Representative to cosponsor a new, bipartisan bill to provide established Medicare Part B recognition and direct reimbursement for pharmacist services related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other illnesses.