We must believe that there is more care and justice in this world than we have seen this week with our own eyes.
The week the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a critical meeting to determine if there should be an investigation into the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that often force patients to their own pharmacies such as Optum RX, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts.
FTC's role is to “protect consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace.”
This week's meeting failed to do that and actually further allowed the unethical acts of PBMs and their pharmacies to continue, at least for now. The two no votes did state that they may consider the investigation with changes.
Twenty-seven advocates, patients, and pharmacists verbally poured their hearts out to the FTC and bravely spoke of the abuses of PBMs and their pharmacies. Many others submitted written comments. If you are one of them, thank you.
To the initial surprise of many, not one lobbyist for the PBMs or from their association Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) was there to defend themselves. I don’t ever recall them not coming to any legislative hearing.
The two no-votes are at the very end of the video recording. Some of the statements from the two no votes certainly aligned with the PBM lobbyists' statements that they often tell our legislators, making it obvious whose voice they were actually listening to. One FTC commissioner even stated that she wants to see how the services provided by these companies really compare. I hope she doesn't want to hear more skewed evidence from the PBMs about how great their services are. They can afford the studies covering the truth about the lives at risk as patients are forced to their pharmacies.
As patients and caregivers, we often don’t know where to complain. State Boards of Pharmacies filled with conflicts of interest, and the FDA fail to regulate delays and temperature issues. Many call their health insurance company to complain, not realizing that their health insurance company has merged with the PBM/mail order. We post on social media sites, consumer reports, FTC complaints, and Better Business Reviews. There is overwhelming evidence of lives at risk. Complaints are at least in the hundreds of thousands.
At the end of the meeting Chair Lina Khan said it best, "I'm really disappointed by this outcome," Chair Khan said. For months, the agency has been building a record with testimony, including from patients, "underscoring the real urgency and life and death stakes in some instances."
Despite the denial of the FTC to investigate the PBMs, please continue to submit complaints. Continue to teach others about the issues. Know that there is power in your voice and by telling your story. I believe that we will see justice and change one day, and lives will be saved. Please don’t give up.
I appreciate your support,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate
Founder of Unite for Safe Medications
Facebook Page: Issues with Mail Order Pharmacy, Corporate Retail Pharmacy, & PBMs
Share Your Story: loretta@uniteforsafemedciations.com