Behind every policy proposal in PCMA’s new Path to Patient Affordability (PPA), there are real challenges faced by patients that motivate our advocacy. Here are the six policy pillars of the PPA, and why we’re prioritizing each:
1. Encourage doctors to use electronic tools that show patients their lowest-cost drug options before they get to the pharmacy
Why? This is 2026. There’s no reason patients should have to wait to learn their drug costs until they get to the pharmacy counter. Technology exists to help patients know the most affordable drug options before they get there, even while still in the doctor’s office. PBMs have invested heavily in these technologies, but antiquated provider systems are standing in the way. By requiring that providers use available tools and by investing in interoperability, patients will save money and have a better experience.
2. Protect the viability of independent retail pharmacies by creating pathways for pharmacists to be paid for the clinical services they provide
Why? PBMs can’t do their job without a wide network of pharmacies, and we recognize the critical value of pharmacists in our communities. Especially in rural areas, patients may depend on their pharmacist for more than filling prescriptions. Recognizing pharmacists as providers for key clinical services can increase access to convenient care for patients and expand reimbursement for pharmacists. For example, pharmacists could provide collaborative chronic disease support, additional medication therapy management, and testing/screening for certain diseases. This flexibility will lead to better health outcomes and lower costs for everyone.
3. Stop drug manufacturers from using anti-competitive practices like patent thickets to block generic drug competition
Why? Too many families are struggling with the high costs of prescription drugs. Brand drugmakers are abusing the patent system to block lower cost alternatives from entering the market, leaving patients to pay too much for too long. Providing additional oversight and commonsense limits for drug manufacturers will increase competition and drive down prices for patients and employers.
4. Promote competition by reducing the monopoly period for biologic drugs and allowing biosimilar substitution
Why? Like generic drugs, biosimilars offer meaningful savings, but they aren’t reaching patients fast enough. Reducing biologic exclusivity periods and allowing pharmacist substitution as the default will open markets faster and increase adoption to lower costs for biologic drugs.
5. Demand transparency for prices and the practices of prescription drug wholesalers and their affiliated companies
Why? Everyone deserves transparency across the drug supply chain. Wholesalers sit in the middle and exert significant influence over drug availability and pricing, especially generic drugs. But little is known about how they operate and influence prices. By shining a light on their practices, policymakers will better understand how they impact costs and protect the pharmacies that contract with them.
6. Rein in Big Pharma’s direct-to-consumer advertisements that drive up costs and mislead patients
Why? Big Pharma is treating American patients as easy marks, trying to confuse them with flashy ads and drive up sales of drugs they don’t need. The US is only one of two countries in the world that allows it. In 2025, drug companies spent nearly $6 billion on TV ads for expensive brand drugs. Advertising on drugs can increase overall drug spending by driving higher demand for these drugs over cheaper available alternatives. Requiring list price disclosure on ads will empower patients to have more informed conversations with providers about affordable options.
Over the coming weeks, we will dive deeper into the actions that lawmakers can take to achieve the pillars laid out and deliver true affordability.
Dive into the full policy platform HERE.