AmerisourceBergen Commends the Introduction of S. 1909 & H.R. 3554, the Pharmacy DIR Reform to Reduce Senior Drug Costs Act, in Congress

AmerisourceBergen issued the following statement on behalf of Rich Tremonte, President of Community & Specialty Pharmacy and Jennifer Sherak, President of Specialty Physician Services after the introduction of S. 1909 & H.R. 3554, the Pharmacy DIR Reform to Reduce Senior Drug Costs Act, in Congress.

“Without question, AmerisourceBergen stands by legislation that gives Medicare beneficiaries greater access to needed prescriptions and creates needed reforms to support fair, accurate, and timely reimbursement for pharmacists and other healthcare providers. This bill would prevent plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from imposing retroactive Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) Fees, within Medicare Part D, on pharmacies and physician practices - a process that has forced pharmacies and providers to pay unfair claw back payments and threatens the financial viability of community and specialty healthcare destinations nationwide.

In addition, by advancing this legislation, American seniors would see reduced cost sharing. In fact, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has stated that eliminating retroactive pharmacy DIR fees will save beneficiaries an estimated $7.1-$9.2 billion. We join many pharmacy industry partners in their praise of this important legislation, and urge its passage this year. We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Grassley (R-IA), who included this policy in drug-pricing legislation considered in the previous Congress, and commend Senators Tester (D-MT), Capito (R-WV), Brown (D-OH), and Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Welch (D-VT), Griffith (R-VA), Gonzalez (D-TX), Carter (R-GA), Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rose (R-TN), Spanberger (D-VA), and Harshbarger (R-TN) for leading introduction this Congress and moving it forward.”