Dear Supporters,
Your help is crucial now more than ever. Pharmacists have long been at the forefront of advocating for important issues like temperature regulation and minimizing delays, especially as many patients are pushed towards mail-order services. Despite their efforts over the past two decades, they've faced resistance, with some even claiming their advocacy is a conflict of interest.
Now, it's time for patients and community members to stand alongside pharmacists as the driving force for change. Legislation and regulation aimed at ensuring safe medication access should benefit us all and support the pharmacy profession.
Express Scripts, a mail order pharmacy and pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), is emblematic of the challenges we face. Here are the key points guiding our protest:
1. PBM Steering Towards Their Own Pharmacies: PBMs like Express Scripts steer patients towards their own mail and retail pharmacies, restricting access to local independent community pharmacies. Better Business Bureau complaints about delays, wrong shipments, and poor service at Express Scripts' mail-order pharmacy underscore the urgent need for reform.
2. Drug Pricing Manipulation and Rebate Schemes: PBMs inflate drug prices and withhold savings from patients and pharmacies through manipulative pricing tactics and rebate schemes.
3. Patient Access Obstacle Courses for Medications: PBMs hinder patient access to medication through restricted formularies and copay accumulators, prioritizing kickbacks over patient affordability and medical necessity. These practices burden patients financially and limit their access to vital treatments.
4. Pharmacy Closures Due to PBM Financial Pressures: Many community pharmacies are forced to shut down due to below-cost reimbursements from PBMs, leaving underserved areas without access to care and endangering small businesses and public health. It's estimated that 30% of local community pharmacies may close this year due to these practices.
While our protest is currently focused on Express Scripts, we recognize that Optum RX and CVS Caremark perpetuate similar practices and do plan on protesting at these PBMs and mail order pharmacies as well. As we unite patients, organizations, and associations, we're committed to continuing this fight until meaningful change is achieved.
Join us in demanding a healthcare system that prioritizes patient well-being and supports the vital role of community pharmacies.
Learn more about the protest and register here.
If you're already planning on attending, please check see our protest attendees informational guide.
Please outreach to other patient advocacy groups & media and share this.
Demonstration Location: Express Scripts Headquarters, 1 Express Way, St. Louis, MO 63121
Date/Time: May 17, 2024 From 9 AM to 1 PM
Sincerely,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate
loretta@uniteforsafemeds.com