Norvell Emerson: “I would submit for the Record this letter, statement by the Association of Community Pharmacists in support of H.R. 4…”

“I would submit for the Record this letter, statement by the Association of Community Pharmacists in support of H.R. 4 saying H.R. 4 does no harm to community pharmacists. We cannot find any provision in H.R. 4 that would either improve or diminish the situation that they are currently faced with regard to the pharmacy benefit managers who are negotiating with them as well as well as taking profit from the pharmacies. This is what is happening because of Medicare part D today. The real harm done to community pharmacists occurred when Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the original Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003. Direct negotiation as contained in H.R. 4 will not directly impact pharmacies because pharmacies are currently being reimbursed at a loss regardless. If this legislation succeeds in bring drug prices down, it will only reduce the top line sales figure--but will have no effect on the gross margin of pharmacies or the ability of pharmacies to continue to operate.”