Congressman Deluzio Announces Western PA Independent Pharmacist Jonathan Akanowicz as his 2026 State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced his guest for the 2026 State of the Union address is Jonathan Akanowicz, Hampton resident and co-owner of the independent pharmacay Towne Drugs on Commercial Avenue in Aspinwall, PA.

"Monopolies have been rigging the system, crushing competition and small businesses, and ripping off the American people for a long time," said Congressman Deluzio. "My constituent and independent pharmacist Jon Akanowicz has been in the frontlines against the power of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (or PBMs). Jon is my guest at this year's State of the Union to highlight this ongoing fight to break the power of PBMs with a simple goal: bring down prescription costs and give independent pharmacies a fair shot to compete. The way I see it, it's my duty to help take the squeeze off America's workers, small businesses, and consumers and pave a path back to the American Dream. It's time to get real, patriotic competition back in our economy."  

"I hope my presence at the State of the Union will help bring awareness to the much-needed PBM reform that was just signed into law," said Jon Akanowicz. "The passage of PBM reform will ultimately bring down prescription costs, save community pharmacies and help preserve patient access. PBM's have been taking advantage of community pharmacies for decades. This is a huge win for pharmacy owners and patients!"

Jon Akanowicz is a constituent of Congressman Deluzio and previously visited Washington, D.C. to participate in the kick-off event for the Congressional Monopoly Busters Caucus. Details of that event are available here. Photos of Jon at that event are available here.

Mr. Akanowicz is 45 years old and lives in Hampton Township, PA with his wife and four children. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1999 and graduated from Wilkes University in 2005 with a Doctor of Pharmacy. Jonathan is the co-owner of Towne Drugs Pharmacy in Aspinwall, PA with his father Robert Akanowicz. He is a member of NCPA (National Community Pharmacists Association) and a longtime PBM reform advocate. 

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