In Review: Senate Bill 173, a forced pharmacy closure and vertical integration bill, was heard in the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services. Following the lobbying efforts of our ground team, all vertical integration and forced pharmacy closure elements of the bill were removed via amendment. The committee added new language to the bill restricting the ability of a PBM to designate certain drugs as specialty. The bill now heads to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.

Up Next: PCMA continues to meet with members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations in anticipation of a hearing on SB 173. The committee is likely to meet this week to consider the bill. Members are coordinating with PCMA to develop compromise language on new restrictions to specialty drug designations.

If you have any questions, please contact Phil Christofanelli at pchristofanelli@pcmanet.org.