PBM Accountability Project Statement on House Energy and Commerce Committee Budget Reconciliation Text

WASHINGTON, DC – During a full committee markup, the House Energy and

Commerce Committee advanced budget reconciliation language including reforms to

pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) business practices:

Mark Blum, managing director of the PBM Accountability Project, issued the following

statement:

“We are pleased to see the House Energy & Commerce Committee working to address

the harmful practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). As we have stated

repeatedly, the powerful PBMs for too long have taken advantage of a system that lacks

accountability and fairness – driving up costs for patients, employers and taxpayers.

“The bipartisan PBM reform provisions the committee has included in the budget

reconciliation should stand out on their own. This is not a partisan issue, and these

reforms deserve an opportunity to advance – as they have in the past – in a bipartisan

manner. We must hold accountable an industry that controls more than 85% of the

prescription drug market and finally pass legislation that ends spread pricing, de-links

PBM compensation from drug prices and ensures negotiated discounts reach patients

at the pharmacy counter.

“Regardless of the outcome of the reconciliation package, Congress must finish what it

started and deliver PBM reform that puts patients first.”

To learn more about the PBM issue and legislative solutions, click here.