PCMA’s Path to Patient Affordability outlines six patient-focused actions that policymakers in Washington and state capitals can take to lower prescription drug costs. In this post, we take a close look at the first policy pillar and how it can help provide transparency, prevent surprise pharmacy costs, encourage competition, and create a better experience for patients.

Pillar 1: Encourage doctors to use electronic tools that show patients their lowest-cost drug options before they get to the pharmacy

One of the most common experiences in health care shouldn’t come with a surprise price tag.

Imagine buying a plane ticket, packing your bags, and heading to the airport. Then, right before boarding, someone tells you what it costs. Who would agree to that?

Yet every day, patients leave their doctor’s office without knowing what their prescription will cost, whether their insurance covers it, or whether a lower cost option is available.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve accepted that the pharmacy counter is where patients learn what their prescription really costs. We can change that. It doesn’t need to be that way.

PBMs have already invested to create technology that allows patients to see their options and costs while still in the doctor’s office. We just need providers and health systems to adopt these Real-Time Prescription Benefit Tools. Once they do, patients will be empowered with information and can work with their physician to be better health care consumers.

The Bottom Line: The best time to lower prescription costs is before the prescription is written.

Explore all six pillars of the Path to Patient Affordability HERE and download our one pagers that go deeper on each policy recommendation HERE.

And watch out next week as we explore What if your pharmacist could do more than fill prescriptions?