Rx Reform Now
Fair Prices. Local Access. Better Care.
Arkansans deserve fair drug prices, transparent healthcare practices and accessible pharmacy services. But Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate in the shadows using anti-competitive tactics, driving locally operated pharmacies out of business, limiting patient choices and inflating drug prices. Join Rx Reform Now to demand fair, sustainable drug pricing, local access to essential pharmacy services, and quality healthcare for all!
Sign the Petition!
Tell Arkansas lawmakers to stop big insurance companies and PBM middlemen from owning pharmacies and driving up costs for patients. Sign the petition to demand an end to conflicts of interest and enable fair drug prices, real competition, quality care, and the freedom to choose your pharmacy!
“The P.B.M.s, which are responsible for paying pharmacies on behalf of employers, are driving independent drugstores out of business by not paying them enough to cover their costs.”
— The New York Times, June 21, 2024 (opens in new tab)
Why This Matters
- Freedom of Choice: PBMs are forcing patients to use mail-order services or distant pharmacies, limiting their options.
- Fairness: Unfair practices by PBMs are forcing pharmacies to lose money, turn patients away or close altogether.
- Access to Care: Over 300 independent pharmacies closed nationwide last year, creating “pharmacy deserts” in some Arkansas communities.
The Impact on You
- Safety at Risk: Your local pharmacist knows your history and can catch potential health risks that a call center can’t.
- Community Loss: Local pharmacies create jobs and provide personalized care that big corporations can’t match.
- Rising Costs: Ever wonder why drug costs keep rising? PBMs often pocket savings through hidden fees and rebates, driving up your medication costs.
“Firms that manage drug benefits, which promise to keep a lid on high drug costs, instead steer patients away from less expensive medicines and overcharge for cancer therapies, Federal Trade Commission investigators found.”
— Wall Street Journal, July 9, 2024 (opens in new tab)
Take Action Now
- Sign our petition for PBM reform in Arkansas
- Contact your local representatives
Unity Care NW, a nonprofit health clinic in Washington state, forecasts the cost of medical and drug benefits for its 365 employees and their family members will increase this year by 25% to more than $3 million. A big reason: Drugs delivered by mail are costing multiples more than those picked up at a store counter. Markups were as much as 35 times higher than what other pharmacies charged, according to a recent analysis of millions of prescriptions in Washington state. “It’s absolutely not fair, and it’s not saving us money,” said Lisa Nelson, Unity Care’s chief pharmacy officer.
— Wall Street Journal, June 25, 2024 (opens in new tab)
Recent News & Updates
Find out the latest news and information about prescription drug reform, PBMs, and our ongoing efforts to preserve fair prices, local access, and better care.
“… PBMs can squeeze independent pharmacies that many Americans, especially those in rural communities, depend on for essential care.”
— Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan, July 9, 2024 (opens in new tab)