South Carolinians converge in D.C. for meetings, advocacy

South Carolina was well represented at the American Pharmacy Association (APhA) / National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) Board Meeting on September 15. Above, from left, Cathy Worrall of the APhA Board of Trustees, CharLeigh Steverson, APhA executive fellow, Patti Fabel, APhA Board of Trustees, and Brian Clark, executive director of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association.

Worrall and Clark spent some time while in Washington visiting Capitol Hill. They met with representatives from Nancy Mace’s and Lindsey Graham’s offices regarding ECAPS (Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act) and PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) Reform.

ECAPS would ensure patients continue to have access to essential pandemic services provided by pharmacists including:

• Testing for COVID-19, Flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Strep Throat.
• Treatment for COVID-19, Flu, Strep, and RSV.
• Vaccinations for COVID-19, Flu, Pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B.

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

PBMs are third-party administrators of prescription drug programs for commercial health plans, self-insured employer plans, federal benefits programs, and state government employee plans. Today, PBMs have consolidated to the point that three companies control 80 percent of the prescription drug market. The National Community Pharmacists Association is one of the professional associations lobbying to level the playing field.

Pharmacy Benefits Managers Reform