Advocacy

Members of Congress are reporting to their constituents about discussions they had on DIR fees and opioids as part of NACDS RXImpact Day on Capitol Hill.

Industry groups have voiced their support for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' rejection of Washington state’s below-cost dispensing fee. The agency said the practice was inconsistent with federal Medicaid rules.

The prescription drug carve out resulted in $122 million in pharmacy dispensing fees to West Virginia pharmacies.

The legislation would help prevent addiction and abuse, and help prevent opioids from falling into the wrong hands.

The bill, which requires electronic prescribing of Schedules I through VI controlled substances, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021.

In addition to DIR fee reform, NACDS also is urging the development of standardized pharmacy quality metrics.

NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson emphasized DIR fee reform’s role in lowering patients’ out of pocket costs and reducing overall healthcare costs in a Morning Consult op-ed.

Pharmacy advocates from all 50 states reached every congressional office during NACDS RxImpact Day.