Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st District | Official U.S. House headshot
In Washington, D.C., a bipartisan and bicameral press conference was held in front of the U.S. Capitol, where Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) urged for immediate action on Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms. Among the key legislative efforts is her DRUG Act, which seeks to eliminate practices such as spread pricing that increase prescription drug costs and affect independently-owned pharmacies in Iowa.
John Nicholson, owner of Mahaska Drug, an independent pharmacy located in Oskaloosa, joined Dr. Miller-Meeks at the event.
The proposed legislation includes several significant measures:
- It aims to ban 'spread pricing,' a practice where a PBM charges health plans more than what they paid for medication.
- It prohibits PBMs from paying affiliated pharmacies more than independent community pharmacies for identical services.
- It bans 'patient steering,' where PBMs encourage or require patients to use their affiliated pharmacies instead of more convenient options.
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