Discussions about pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform are intensifying across Capitol Hill as healthcare packages addressing the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies take shape. Unfortunately, leading proposals’ PBM “reform” provisions focus solely on transparency. While transparency is important, on its own it will not stop the predatory practices that are driving pharmacies out of business and limiting patients’ access to care.

Since Congress’ near win on PBM reform in December 2024, pharmacies have closed at a net rate of more than six per day nationwide. Over the past year alone, more than 2,200 pharmacies have closed, and Americans have lost more than 13 percent of their pharmacies since January 2018. Without comprehensive PBM reform, patients will continue to face inflated drug costs and lose access to the pharmacy of their choice.

Our pharmacy coalition — including the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, and the National Grocers Association — recently sent a letter to congressional leadership outlining the provisions that must be included for PBM reform to be effective and sustainable.

Congress has already done much of the policy work on PBM reform, and there is broad, bipartisan agreement on many of these solutions. What is needed now is the will to finish the job.

Write to your members of Congress today and urge them to include real, comprehensive PBM reform in the next appropriate moving legislative vehicle — or advance it as a standalone measure.