Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions Adds Three More Organizations
New Members Will Join Fight to Lower Drug Costs & Improve Access to Treatment
WASHINGTON, DC – December 6, 2017 – The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, American Bone Health, and the Tennessee Rheumatology Society became the newest members of the Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP), a coalition of provider and patient groups concerned about the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) driving up drug costs.
"As a patient-led organization representing individuals struggling daily to manage complex, capricious, and unique conditions, having an armamentarium of treatments that are appropriate, accessible, and affordable is extremely important to us," stated Kathleen A. Arntsen, President and CEO of Lupus and Allied Diseases Association. "We are thrilled to be part of this vital advocacy alliance to ensure ethical accountability and thank ATAP for recognizing the importance of including the patient voice in unveiling the futile and often pernicious policies of PBMs."
PBMs were initially created to control drug costs by negotiating discounts and rebates from manufacturers on behalf of insurers. Due to lack of oversight and transparency around their pricing practices, PBMs now often reap the benefits of these discounts without passing savings on to consumers. PBMs continue to expand their influence over drug costs and physicians’ ability to dictate patient treatment. ATAP was formed to shine a light on the role of PBMs in skyrocketing drug prices.
"Osteoporosis is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease and a serious public health crisis in this country as our population ages,” said Kathleen Cody, Executive Director of American Bone Health. “New therapeutic options are available, but often patients must fail on first line treatments before being approved for safer and more effective treatments. Working with ATAP will help American Bone Health bring the voice of millions of Americans to the issue of transparency in drug pricing for older adults."
By educating lawmakers, the media, and the public about the role of PBMs, ATAP seeks to give a voice to the physicians and patients that face the consequences of a broken prescription drug system. ATAP representatives regularly meet with state and federal legislators to discuss policy solutions that would regulate these deceptive practices and give power back to patients and their doctors.
“The cost and administrative barriers to appropriate therapy imposed by pharmacy benefit managers significantly complicates the management of rheumatic disease patients,” said Suzan House, President of Tennessee Rheumatology Society. “Tennessee Rheumatology Society is pleased to partner with ATAP to shed light on the source of medication price increases and obstacles to treatment.”
For more information on ATAP, PBMs, and prescription drug pricing, please follow @ATAPAdvocates on Twitter or visit www.ATAPAdvocates.com.