Leaders in Pharmacy & Medical Communities Speak Out Against Damaging PBM Practices | PBM Reform

Speaking to the Pharmacy Podcast Network, Dr. Marion Mass, a pediatrician, patient advocate and founding member of the Practicing Physicians of America, spoke about the original intent of PBMs, which started in 1968, and what they’ve become today. “PBMs were created with the vision that they would act like giant drug-buying networks, with their buying power cutting health care costs and consumers realizing the savings in the end. However, through consolidation, three companies now control 90 percent of the market,” she said. Dr. Mass further explained, “This unhealthy market share has led to an unhealthy control over formularies,” which can cause life-and-death situations for her young patients. “Patients are at risk of death or harm when drugs such as chemotherapies, antibiotics, epinephrine and anesthetics are not available.” Pharm D Mel Brodsky, executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists and former CEO of the Keystone Purchasing Alliance, explained, “This outsized market share takes advantage of drug manufacturers, pharmacists and, most importantly, patients. The result is a net negative for all parties except for the large PBMs.” In his estimation, the net result of this imbalance “has led to an erosion of the doctor-patient relationship and a decimation of Main Street pharmacists throughout the nation.” “With the current system in place, independent pharmacists are being squeezed to the point that many jump when the large groups offer to buy them out. With the depletion of community pharmacists comes the loss of personal touch and a watered-down version of health care to patients,” Brodsky said. Both participants agreed that action must be taken on the federal level, citing Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey’s abilities to rein in the large PBM market imbalance. Our Guests: Dr. Marion Mass. Dr. Mass is a pediatrician in the Philadelphia suburbs. She received her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She is the co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America - and leadership in the Free2Care coalition-a consortium of grassroots physician advocacy groups that believe that the key to good care starts with the relationship between a patient and their doctor. She sits on the editorial board of the Bucks County Courier, Times and is a member of the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership. Mr. Mel Brodsky is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists (PARD), an association of community pharmacies representing 250 independently owned pharmacies in Southeast Pennsylvania. PARD works closely with State Associations like the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA). Mr. Brodsky is also CEO of the Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, headquartered in Philadelphia with 400 member stores in 5 States. Mel has an amazing understanding of how PBMs impact the effectiveness and growth of vital healthcare service providers like Community Pharmacies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices