Governor Ivey officially signed bill helping save Alabama pharmacies
ALABAMA (WDHN) – Governor Ivey has officially signed the Senate's 'Community Pharmacy Relief Act,' which is aimed to deflect the influence of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, also known as PBMs.
PBMs are managers of prescription benefits between insurance companies and employers.
The bill raises the concern that PBMs reimburse pharmacies at low rates, even below the cost of dispensing medications.
The new law even prohibits PBMs from paying pharmacists less than Medicaid does and from charging miscellaneous fees.
Pharmacists said PBMs have been paying not enough to the point they don't even cover the cost of the drugs they are providing.
The Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance said roughly 13% of pharmacies in the state have closed since 2018.
The bill passed unanimously with full support in both the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives.
With Governor Ivey's signature of the bill, it has the green light and is now officially apart of the law
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