The Missouri Senate is currently considering SB 984/968 — legislation that would establish fair and adequate reimbursement standards for pharmacies and address harmful pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that threaten local pharmacies and patient access to care.

Pharmacies are consistently ranked by Americans as the most accessible and among the most trusted healthcare destinations. For many patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities, the pharmacy is their most convenient point of care. Yet persistent under-reimbursement by the PBMs places unsustainable financial pressure on pharmacies and threatens their ability to continue serving patients. As written, SB 984/968 takes an important step toward addressing these practices — but an amendment is needed to ensure its reimbursement protections extend to all retail pharmacies serving Missouri patients, not just a select few.

With that amendment, the legislation would help strengthen the prescription drug marketplace by:

• Ensuring fair and adequate pharmacy reimbursement by requiring payment of the actual acquisition cost of medications plus a professional dispensing fee.

• Protecting patient access by applying reimbursement protections to all retail pharmacies — preventing the financial strain that can force closures and limit care.

• Promoting transparency and accountability by addressing PBM under-reimbursement practices that distort the prescription drug marketplace.

Missouri senators are currently reviewing SB 984/968. Please take a moment to urge your senator to support amending the bill to fairly reimburse all pharmacies and protect pharmacy access across Missouri.

Please note: Our advocacy system will use the address you provide to match you with your Missouri state senator. Messages can only be sent to the lawmaker for whom you are a constituent. If you are not matched with a senator, we encourage you to share this alert with colleagues or team members in Missouri who may be able to participate.