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Gov. Josh Shapiro continued his western Pennsylvania blitz on Wednesday, this time stopping in New Castle to tout regulatory pharmacy oversight reforms. After stops in Pittsburgh over the weekend and Monday, the governor — with talk swirling he’s in the running to be Kamala Harris’ No. 2 on the Democratic ticket for president — spoke…

In all, Klingensmith’s Drug Store President David J. Cippel was happy about news Wednesday of the signing of House Bill 1993 into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. But Cippel also noted some mixed feelings he has about the new law, which according to a press release issued yesterday, provides desperately needed reforms to how pharmacy…

Customers of the local chain of Hometown Pharmacy on E. South Street in New Castle say they prefer shopping there for their prescription needs. “Your big brick-and-mortar stores never can offer this. You’re nothing more than a number,” said Jack Melvin, of New Castle. But for years, customers and workers alike say they’ve been squeezed…

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro followed through on his commitment to increasing transparency and accountability to support Pennsylvanians and local pharmacies by signing bipartisan House Bill (HB) 1993 into law, providing stronger protections for patients in Pennsylvania and increased regulatory oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs are the hidden “middlemen” of the pharmaceutical supply chain. They negotiate the…

New regulations reining in pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the powerful middlemen between pharmacies and insurance companies, reached Gov. Shapiro’s desk last week. The bill is a massive bipartisan win that will give pharmacies much-needed freedom — but the legislation stops short of enacting what pharmacies truly needed: reimbursement rate floors. The need for PBM reform…

A coalition of Pennsylvania community pharmacists is celebrating the passage of House Bill 1993, a reform package aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill now awaits Governor Josh Shapiro’s signature. In his February budget address, Shapiro called for PBM reform. Protecting Local Pharmacies PBMs are intended to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies….

A bill to regulate pharmaceutical industry middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers has passed both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature. It will go to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk, and he’s expected to sign it. “The broad bipartisan support for this common-sense legislation provides stronger patient protections through enhanced transparency and oversight of PBMs,” Victoria Elliott,…

The state House passed a comprehensive bill on Friday aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers and aiding local pharmacists. The bill had almost unanimous support, with only four members voting against it. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are middlemen in the pharmaceutical industry. They’re hired by insurance companies to administer the prescription drug side of health…

The state Senate Health and Human Services committee advanced a bill on Monday to increase oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. Pharmacy benefit managers are pharmaceutical industry middlemen. They’re largely responsible for overseeing the prescription drug side of health insurance plans. In that role, they negotiate the cost of drugs on behalf of insurance companies, often receiving discounts…

We haven’t even crossed the midway point of 2024, and more than 140 pharmacies have closed in Pennsylvania since we began the year, and countless local jobs have been lost. Sadly, there aren’t any signs this trend will slow down anytime soon until Pennsylvania enacts comprehensive pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. The good news is there’s plenty…