NCPA Applauds Medicare Part D Reform in New Spending Bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 20, 2026) - The National Community Pharmacists Association released the following statement in response to a spending bill introduced today in Congress that includes a provision requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop reasonable and relevant contract terms under Medicare Part D and create a mechanism for pharmacies to report contract violations:

"This is a major win for independent and long-term care community pharmacy, and we are very pleased to have worked with congressional leadership to advance it. For many decades, PBMs have had the advantage of inconsistent, vague, and unreasonable contract terms that they would interpret and enforce in ways that can't be explained or justified. This reform will create clarity and enforceability, and that should reduce the confusion that PBMs have used to their advantage.

"We are very grateful to our pharmacy champions, including Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and other leaders in Congress for including this language in the funding bill, and we strongly urge all members of the House to pass and send it to the Senate."

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<_u53a_p>Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ more than 235,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.