PCMA Applauds the Administration for Enacting Legislation to Curb America's Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) recognizes today's enactment of historic legislation, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6), as a significant step in the fight against America's opioid epidemic. The legislation will require electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) for controlled substances in Medicare, which will save lives and reduce fraud. PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

"We applaud the President for enacting this important legislation that will save lives and reduce fraud," said PCMA President and CEO JC Scott. "PBMs have led the effort in using e-prescribing and other cutting-edge technology to combat opioid abuse and improve patient safety."

PCMA helped lead a broad coalition that supported inclusion of the Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act.

The coalition includes:

• Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
• CVS Health
• Express Scripts
• Magellan Health
• OptumRx
• Prime Therapeutics
• Albertsons Companies
• America's Health Insurance Plans
• AmerisourceBergen
• Association for Accessible Medicines
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
• College of Healthcare Information Management Executives
• Health Information and Management Systems Society
• Health IT Now
• The Health Leadership Council
• Imprivata
• National Coalition on Health Care
• National Consumers League
• National Association of Chain Drug Stores
• National Community Pharmacists Association
• Rite Aid
• Surescripts
• Walgreens

PCMA also supports a number of important provisions in H.R. 6 to reduce opioid abuse, including:  

H.R. 4841, Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act.  Electronic prior authorization helps ensure patients' prescriptions are able to be dispensed safely and quickly, which allows for optimal adherence levels.

H.R. 5676, Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement (SENIOR) Communities Protection Act. Allowing Medicare Part D plans to suspend payment of claims where there is a credible allegation of fraud prevents having to "pay and chase" fraudulent claims submitted by so-called "pop-up pharmacies." This bill gives Medicare Part D plans important new tools to fight drug abuse and diversion. The legislation overwhelmingly passed in the House with over 350 votes.

PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs administer prescription drug plans for more than 266 million Americans who have health insurance from a variety of sponsors including: commercial health plans, self-insured employer plans, union plans, Medicare Part D plans, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), state government employee plans, Medicaid plans, and others.

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Care Management Association

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