Unlike brick and mortar stores, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) such as Optum RX Express Scripts and CVS Caremark remain unregulated in many areas. They are not required to be licensed in many states and it's time for this to change. 

PBMs also engage in spread pricing that allows them to mark up the prices of medications and keep the difference. Americans are seeing that this practice is costing taxpayers millions of dollars in many states. 

The proposed bill would also support our trusted pharmacies in ensuring that they are not bullied by their own competition by forcing pharmacies to adhere to certain criteria beyond the State Boards of Pharmacies requirements. Currently, PBMs who own the pharmacies that they force patients to can audit pharmacies out of business by finding minor errors. Many pharmacists have found their businesses audited after speaking to media and legislators about massive price-gouging or the many findings of the cash price being lower than using their insurance due to the PBMs telling pharmacists to charge more than the cash price. This is abusive and must stop. 

We need everyone in New York to send a  message to Governor Cuomo

Tell him to sign S6531 as is without removing the critical components that would save lives and strengthen communities by ensuring the regulation of PBMs and the protection of our local trusted pharmacies. 

You may also send a tweet to him to sign S6531. 

Governor Cuomo Contact:
Phone - 1-518-474-8390
Twitter - @NYGovCuomo 

Thank you for your support! 

You may also help by:

• Sharing your issues with mail-order pharmacy story by emailing loretta@uniteforsafemeds.com
• Making a donation to our nonprofit.