(Washington, D.C.) — The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement today on the legislative markup on S. 1339, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, by the U.S. Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee.

“Just one day after examining the pricing power drug companies use to block competition, the HELP Committee took drug companies’ bait and wrongly blamed the one actor in the supply working to reduce drug costs. The committee advanced legislation, without allowing common sense amendments, that would increase prescription drug costs.

“In addition, the legislation would create a one-size-fits-all contracting mandate that ignores the unique needs of patients and removes employer choice. Real solutions to existing gaps in prescription drug affordability could easily be included in a drug pricing bill that actually lowers costs.”

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PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit companies. Pharmacy benefit companies are working every day to secure savings, enable better health outcomes, and support access to quality prescription drug coverage for more than 275 million patients.