Impact of Legislation and Lawsuits on Drug Costs for Patients: Insights from AJMC
Understanding the Current Landscape of Drug Costs
At the recent AMCP Nexus meeting, key figures in the pharmaceutical landscape discussed the evolving legal and legislative frameworks affecting drug costs for patients. Kimberly Westrich and Adam Colborn provided invaluable insights into ongoing legislation and court cases.
Key Legislative Insights
- Pharmacy Benefit Managers are under scrutiny.
- The PBM Accountability Act and PBM Transparency Act are among the bills proposed at the federal level.
- State-level actions are proving more dynamic.
Colborn emphasized the importance of transparency in the legislative process. He noted the ongoing debate surrounding the regulation of the commercial versus public markets alongside the possible impacts of upcoming elections.
Cost-Shifting Programs and Patient Impact
Westrich discussed the emergence of cost-sharing tools that affect how financial assistance is applied towards patient drug costs. Legal challenges surrounding co-pay accumulators have surfaced, illustrating the heightened ethical dilemmas regarding patient care.
Both state and federal levels are exploring legislative avenues to mitigate the financial burdens experienced by patients due to these programs, with several states actively enacting laws that challenge the status quo.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.