In the beginning of my advocacy, I didn't understand why we were being forced to mail order pharmacies. Today, the answer is clear. The monopolization of the pharmacy and insurance industry is powerful and allows for greed to come before patient care. As insurance companies have been allowed to merge with pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), America's access to pharmacies is in grave danger.
A recent article highlighted that Aetna & CVS have used monopolized power to force patients to their own pharmacies. Some must drive over 100 miles to get medications as now only CVS is covered by their insurance. Pharmacies 5 miles away from their home are no longer in their coverage.
Minnesota suggests a $1.25 million fine on CVS as this state and other states have tried to protect their citizens from CVS being able to steer to their own pharmacies. $1,250,000 seems like a small fine to pay for a company with $304,000,000,000 in yearly revenue and that paid over $10,300,000 to lobby federal officials alone.
This is why it is so critical today for you to use your voice and tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consumers and competition by ensuring that insurance companies and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are not able to force to their own pharmacies.
Many of us couldn't have dreamed that we would be here today fighting for the most basic of pharmaceutical care. If we don't fight, I can't imagine how much worse America's pharmaceutical care will become in our lifetime.
Tell the FTC to stop the monopolization and abuses of insurance companies' pharmacy benefit managers.
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Thank you,
Loretta Boesing