TPA Members Fight for PBM Reform

A number of Texas Pharmacy Association pharmacists testified March 2 at the State Capitol in support of TPA members' top priority: pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. TPA Vice President Michael Muñiz spoke before the House Committee on Insurance and his representative, Chair Eddie Lucio III, who has recognized the need to address this critical issue for pharmacists.

"House Bill 2231 would address two critical issues by requiring transparency on how reimbursements are described and calculated, and prohibiting post-adjudication recoupments" such as DIR fees, Muñiz said. He explained that the bill would also prohibit PBMs from directing patients to pharmacies in which they have an ownership interest, and it would require at least 50 percent of rebates to be shared with patients at the point of sale under certain circumstances.

TPA Vice President Michael Muñiz testifies before a House committee in support of PBM reform on April 2.

TPA Board member Jay Bueche also testified on behalf of H-E-B in support of HB 2231, noting that chain pharmacies experience the same challenges with PBMs as independent pharmacy owners. Pharmacists Laura Temple and Tammy Gray, both TPA members, also shared their stories and spoke in favor of the bill. TPA is grateful to Rep. Tom Oliverson for sponsoring this legislation.

Follow pharmacy-related bills TPA is tracking using our online bill tracker (updated weekly).

Sarah Nguyen, a P4 University of Texas Pharmacy student and TPA intern, registers her support for HB 2231 at the State Capitol.