Legislature can reform pharmacy benefit managers — now

Medications can significantly improve the quality of life for many patients dealing with long term conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. For rural patients especially, getting our needed prescriptions isn’t always easy.

Fortunately, the Iowa Legislature is on the verge of passing a bill that would help ensure patients can access affordable medications at their trusted local pharmacies and help Iowa save on prescription drug costs. The bill, HF 2401, passed the House with a near unanimous vote and is now ready to be passed in the Senate. HF2401 would rein in insurance middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), preventing them from continuing to squeeze out independent pharmacies with unfair contracts. This legislation would also save the state government money by creating more competition and transparency in the PBM market.

Iowa legislators need to make this bill a priority and pass it as soon as possible to help ensure that Iowa’s rural patients have access to local, independent pharmacies.

Dwight Baldwin, President, Iowa State Grange

Kellogg