Bill 118 s 2436, also known as the NO PBMs Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered in the US Congress. The bill aims to address issues related to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which are companies that manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers and employers.
The main goal of the NO PBMs Act is to increase transparency and accountability in the PBM industry. The bill would require PBMs to disclose information about their pricing practices, including the discounts and rebates they negotiate with drug manufacturers. This information would help to ensure that patients and insurers are getting the best possible prices for prescription drugs.
Additionally, the bill would prohibit PBMs from engaging in certain practices that have been criticized for driving up drug prices. For example, PBMs would be banned from imposing gag clauses on pharmacists, which prevent them from informing patients about lower-cost alternatives to their prescribed medications. PBMs would also be prohibited from engaging in spread pricing, where they charge insurers more for a drug than they pay pharmacies for it.
Overall, the NO PBMs Act aims to promote transparency, competition, and affordability in the prescription drug market. By holding PBMs accountable for their pricing practices and prohibiting certain anti-competitive behaviors, the bill seeks to ensure that patients have access to affordable medications.