Political Quotes

“Representing a rural district in which many small towns rely on just one pharmacy to access lifesaving drugs has made me a believer in the value of community pharmacists. I also believe in free markets and competition, but a healthy market requires transparency and a level playing field. Unfortunately, based upon my recent visits to community pharmacists in towns like Golconda, Rosiclare, and Carmi, pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs, are threatening the solvency of these community institutions by using complicated formularies that often result in local pharmacies being reimbursed less per prescription than their higher volume, big box peers, and direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR, fees, which create uncertainty and can impose a serious cash flow squeeze that too many times forces independent pharmacists to close their doors or sell their businesses. Drug prices are a big issue. We can help bring down costs by reducing barriers to drug development and delivery while increasing competition through transparency that allows everyone to compete on a level playing field. ____________________”