This morning, I saw this image posted by Pharmacist United for Truth and Transparency, and I felt it. At first, it wasn't the independent pharmacy that my family was forced away from. It was the children's hospital pharmacy that we trusted.
I'm sure many other patients who have been harmed or had their lives risked by being forced to a mail order pharmacy or corporate retail mail order pharmacy will be able to feel the photo too. It's emotional. Terrifying. Sad. Angry. Confused about how this can happen in America? Fearful as the concerns that the large mail order or retail pharmacy that we are forced to will not provide the same level of care are validated by the one-star BBB reviews and consumer reports sites.
CVS Caremark, Optum RX, and Express Scripts are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
PBMs oversee pharmacy benefits for insurance companies. PBMs merged with insurance companies and pharmacies. The conflicts of interest there are obvious, but our legislators, FTC, the judges, and many other government officials allowed it. The amount of money given to politicians from these corporations that are now among the wealthiest in our nation could be a major part of the problem.
There is some hope that the newly elected officials on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will help save America's pharmacy access from the corporations seeking to destroy it. Still, Chair Khan has clarified that we must put pressure on our legislators. The FTC's actions will not be enough.
Thank you all for your support,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate