Pharmacists, lawmakers call for transparency in prescription drug costs as small businesses struggle | News from WDRB [Video]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Several pharmacists and lawmakers are pushing new legislation they hope will cut down on the price of prescriptions and help keep pharmacies open.

However, not everyone agrees the new bill is the answer.

Lawmakers and independent pharmacists from 10 states, including Kentucky, gathered recently in Washington for a news conference to discuss House Resolution 9096, also known as the Pharmacists Fight Back Act. The bill, which was introduced July 23 in the House, is aimed at implementing a pharmacy reimbursement model to use national averages to drive down the cost of prescription medication. It’s focused on the actions of pharmacy benefit mangers, or PBMs, the “middlemen” of drug pricing, the lawmakers allege.

“Healthcare costs continue to rise and we have now found ourselves in a situation where the fox is guarding the hen house,” said Ben Mudd, the executive director of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association.

Mudd said issues many pharmacies face largely stem from a lack of transparency from PBMs. There are multiple PBMs, …