Press Releases

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are the pharmaceutical supply chain's hidden middlemen that are driving up costs for prescription medications, delaying access to necessary treatments, and robbing hope from patients. It's time we pull back the curtain on these insidious actors.

Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will host its first ever hearing on PBMs, which seeks to answer a basic question - are they in this business for people or for profit? 

Here's what you need to know to answer that question:


Pulling Back the Curtain on PBMs: A Path Towards Affordable Prescription Drugs

Last year, I interviewed patients around the country to learn more about how PBMs were hindering their access to care and, ultimately, keeping them sick - the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do.

You can read and watch their stories, along with the report I wrote that first appeared in the Harvard Journal of Legislation, here. 

In the News

• ICYMI: What's behind PBMs' curtain? Abuses, wealth, and barriers to health
  
• Congressman Escalates War With PBMs (Medpage Today)
  
• Drug company middlemen likely to be a focus in 118th Congress (Roll Call)
  
• House lawmakers seek to ban spread pricing in Medicaid in latest PBM reform effort (Fierce Healthcare)
  
• Carter introduces bill to crack down on abuse by pharmacy benefit managers (Ripon Advance)
  
• PBMs are modern-day drug price gangsters and must be held accountable (Ohio Capital Journal)
  
• Bipartisan Legislation Efforts Build Against PBMs (MedCity News)
  
• Pharmacy benefit managers caught in crosshairs of battle to reduce drug costs (The Hill)

On the Screen

• Pulling Back the Curtain on PBMs: A Compilation of Patient Testimonials
• Rep. Carter Pulls Back the Curtain on PBMs
• Rep. Carter Speaks on Copays Legislation and Vertical Integration
• Rep. Carter discusses Transparency in the 340B Program in the Health Subcommittee
• Rep. Carter discusses PBM reporting requirements
• Rep. Carter discusses PBMs on Health Subcommittee
• Rep. Carter's Interview with OAN on PBM's and Prescription Drug Prices

Watch Fox28 clip here

Legislation

• Health Subcommittee Markup Recap: E&C Advances Seven Bills to Lowers Costs and Expand Access to Care
  
• Carter, Blunt Rochester, Malliotakis, Auchincloss introduce bill to protect patients, pharmacies from PBM abuses
  
• Bipartisan lawmakers introduce bill to ban predatory pricing tactics for Medicaid reimbursement
  
• Carter, Barragán, Miller-Meeks, and DeGette introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure copay assistance counts for patients
  
• Carter leads letter slamming “impossible choice” for TRICARE beneficiaries
  

Read my complete report, along with patient testimonials, here. 

Watch the Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing here.