CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HELPS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, PROTECT HEALTHCARE ACCESS

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) called on the U.S. House of Representatives to take up the Pharmacists Fight Back Act to rein in the abusive practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen of drug pricing. The bipartisan legislation is led by Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) and Congresswoman Diana Harshberger (TN-01).

Congressman Bishop was joined by Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) as well as Nikki Bryant, owner of Adams Family Pharmacy in Preston, Georgia, in speaking at a press conference in support of the legislation.

They were joined by over 50 independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners from across America, including Texas, California, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Michigan, Arkansas, and Virginia, all who have shared their stories about fighting to keep pharmacies from closing. On average, one independent pharmacy closes each day in the United States.

"The largest PBMs today exercise significant power over what drugs are available, at what price, and what pharmacies that patients can use to access their prescribed medications - all with very little accountability or transparency," said Congressman Bishop during his remarks at the event.

Congressman Bishop added, "The bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Bills that we have introduced will provide fair and predictable reimbursement for pharmacies and fight drug pricing manipulation by providing market-based index pricing. These bills will prevent the PBMs from steering patients towards PBM-owned pharmacies, allowing patients to use the pharmacists of their choice and expanding access to prescription drug care. With the high cost of prescription drugs, it is important that when we can get savings, these are shared with patients and providers, not just pocketed by the middlemen. These bills do that by reforming PBM rebate practices. Finally, these bills have teeth, and they include robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the PBMs comply."

WATCH: Bishop Calls on Congress to Move Legislation to Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs

WATCH: The Full Press Conference Announcing the Pharmacists Fight Back Act

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PHOTO: Congressman Bishop in front of the U.S. Capitol with Nikki Bryant of Preston, Georgia, and pharmacists from across the country to urge the U.S. House to take up prescription drug legislation, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act