ATAP Press Release: Wisconsin Physicians Advocating Legislators Reign In PBM Industry
ATAP focuses on legislation in Wisconsin in hopes that they will bring accountability and transparency to the industry.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2020
CONTACT
Dan Rene of kglobal
202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com
WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS ADVOCATING LEGISLATORS REIGN IN PBM INDUSTRY
Doctors Plea for Transparency & Accountability in Testimony
[Madison, WI] [February 3, 2020] – Doctors from the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP), a coalition of patient and provider groups concerned about the role Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play in the rising cost of drugs and reduced patient access to affordable treatment, are focusing on legislation in Wisconsin that they hope will bring accountability and transparency to the industry.
In testimony before the Wisconsin legislature this week, Dr. Taraneh Mehrani, a Board Member with the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR), an ATAP member, will share how the dangerous policies of the PBM industry including step therapy, spread pricing, and non-medical switching are harming patients.
“Patients today are suffering under a system that prevents them from getting medicine they need. As doctors, we know each patient is unique, and therefore must take many factors into account when prescribing treatments. The PBM industry, in order to profit off rebates and discounts, often interrupts the doctor patient relationship by forcing patients on to treatments other than what their doctor prescribed. This is solely to increase profits to the PBM,” stated Dr. Mehrani, a Wisconsin based Rheumatologist. “This is clearly not in the best interest of the patient.”
The legislation in Wisconsin (Assembly Bill 114) addresses some of the hidden profit motives of the PBM industry by mandating more disclosures of kick backs and admin fees collected. It also allows pharmacists to remove the “gag” that prevents them from alerting a patient when a therapeutically equivalent, lower cost medication is available.
“I have seen many patients needlessly suffer as a result of being forced from a stable therapy onto other drugs that were ineffective for their situations,” Dr. Mehrani explained. “Abrupt changes can have devastating impacts on a patient. The mystery of how manufacturers, PBMs, and insurers determine the price and cost of drugs must be made clear.”
“Wisconsin has a chance to take a big step in the right direction to advocate for patients. This legislation is a great start in allowing doctors and patients to once again get in control of their health decisions. Dr. Mehrani continued. “Up until now the PBMs have focused only on profits. Wisconsin has a chance to force the industry to consider patient health and safety first, as it should.
Dr. Taraneh Mehrani will testify before the Assembly Committee on Health on Wednesday, February 5th.
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For more information, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Mehrani, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357.
Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com