Historic Ruling from Supreme Court in Favor of Independent Pharmacy
EDMOND, Okla., Dec. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Thursday, Dec. 11, the United States Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), siding with patients and community pharmacies in their fight to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). In a unanimous decision, the court ruled to honor states' authority to protect independent pharmacies and their patients from PBMs' harmful business practices.
"PBM's for far too long have been able to operate with little to no oversight. This significant ruling will shed light on their questionable practices, which have hurt patients and pharmacies alike," said John Crumly, CEO of PPOk. PPOk, an independent Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization (PSAO), has been involved in advocating for independent pharmacies on state and national levels since 1985. "We couldn't be more thrilled that this ruling will allow states to have the power to protect themselves against PBMs."
"We want to applaud the efforts of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, and the work of Mark Riley, and the National Community Pharmacists Association. Without their fearless leadership, we would continue to see community pharmacies across the nation close, due to the abusive business practices employed by PBMs," said Melanie Maxwell, SVP of Pharmacy Services at PPOk "We have been fighting for fair and reasonable drug pricing transparency and this ruling will significantly aid in that process."
This landmark decision is the first time the Supreme Court has ruled on a case involving PBMs, who manage prescription drug benefits from health insurers, Medicare Part D drug plans, and large employers. The case concerned a 2015 Arkansas law that required PBMs to reimburse local pharmacies at the same rate as larger pharmacies and banned PBMs from reimbursing them at a lower rate than what a pharmacy had paid for a drug.
About PPOk
PPOk is committed to cost containment strategies and information management. PPOk provides services for pharmacies across the nation. PPOk's sole purpose is to ensure the viability, success, and competitiveness of its participating pharmacies. More news and information about PPOk can be viewed at http://www.ppok.com
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Meleia Williamson, PPOk, +1 (405) 557-5784, mwilliamson@ppok.com
SOURCE PPOk
