In October 2024, WSPC proudly showcased the concerns of independent pharmacies during an impactful visit to Salt Lake City, Utah.
WSPC’s Kevin DeMass, RPh, owner of The Apothecary Shoppe, hosted FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak (R-UT), Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Utah Insurance Commissioner Jon Pike for an on-site pharmacy tour and a policy roundtable focused on the real-world impacts of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
The discussion included leaders from the Utah Pharmacy Association, such as President Adam Jones and Legislative Liaison Jeff Gatzmeier. Local pharmacists Benjamin Jolley, PharmD, Kevin Marchant, PharmD, and Sheldon Birch, PharmD, also participated. Kimmie Hack, the Director of Marketing at WSPC, represented the organization’s commitment to grassroots advocacy and community-based pharmacy care.
This visit was much more than a photo opportunity. The timing was crucial, as the FTC continues its 6(b) investigation into PBMs. Conversations centered on the urgent need for increased transparency, fair reimbursement practices, and necessary reforms in the industry.
Kevin DeMass and his fellow pharmacists spoke candidly about the unsustainable pressures independent pharmacies face due to current PBM practices. DeMass revealed that his pharmacy lost more than $8,000 in June alone, totaling approximately $40,000 in losses over four months. These losses are a direct result of PBMs setting reimbursement rates below the cost of medications, forcing pharmacies to rely on non-prescription sales, such as cards and candy, to stay afloat.
“Their incentive to manipulate these choices lies in their selection of very expensive medications, which they profit from on the back end by negotiating rebates with manufacturers and health plans,” DeMass explained in an interview with Fox13. “This creates a profit-driven environment that undermines healthcare costs and inflates expenses for our community and our patients.”
Commissioner Holyoak, one of the FTC’s newest Republican commissioners, emphasized the importance of collecting robust data for the ongoing investigation and reiterated her commitment to a comprehensive review of PBM operations. “I want to encourage the FTC to thoroughly complete that report in an economically objective manner, so we can make informed decisions based on solid economic evidence,” Holyoak told Deseret News.
Congresswoman Maloy also recognized the seriousness of the issue and its impact on patient access and costs, stating, “PBMs have inserted themselves between doctors and patients. That is something Congress is going to have to address.”
At WSPC, our mission is to amplify the voices of independent pharmacists through strategic advocacy, policy engagement, and trusted partnerships. Events like this highlight the necessity of bringing decision-makers into local pharmacies, where real people, real care, and real challenges converge. WSPC remains committed to ensuring that policymakers grasp what is at stake: the survival of independent pharmacies and the health of the communities they serve.
We encourage pharmacy professionals, patients, and advocates to stay engaged.
- Support legislation like Cole’s Act.
- Share your stories.
- Contact your lawmakers.
What You Can Do to Help
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) offers resources to support PBM reform efforts:
- PBM Reform Advocacy: Detailed information on PBM practices, state-level legislative tracking, and key issues surrounding PBM reform. NCPA
- Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation Materials: This collection includes infographics, background materials, and one-pagers that explain complex PBM issues, aiding in advocacy and education. NCPA
- Finish the Fight Campaign: NCPA’s initiative to mobilize pharmacists and patients in advocating for fair pharmacy reimbursement and PBM reform. The campaign offers printable assets, videos, and guidance on engaging with legislators. NCPA
- Legislative Action Center: A platform to stay informed about proposed legislation affecting independent pharmacies and to take action by contacting lawmakers. NCPA
The NCPA’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In to advocate for policies that protect patient care and hold PBMs accountable starts next week. Will we see you there?
Learn more here: NCPA Congressional Pharmacy Fly-in
