New state bill would allow pharmacists to tell patients about less expensive medication options [Video]

BATON ROUGE – Nationwide, four in 10 adults in the U.S. live with one or more chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Though in Louisiana, experts say access to medication can be confusing or difficult due to high costs and availability.

Rep. Chad Brown (D-Plaquemine) proposed a bill — HB 509 — allowing pharmacists to tell patients about less expensive medication options. It would also forbid pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from interfering with insurance rates based on discounts available to some patients.

Pharmacy benefit managers are middlemen contracted by health insurance companies to negotiate drug prices and grant pharmacy benefits. Randall Johnson, president and CEO of the Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association, says pharmacies are trying to make expensive medications available.

“The consumer needs access to prescription drugs,” Johnson said. “This piece of legislation helps see that there are opportunities for the patients to have access to the medication.”

Johnson says PBMs drive the cost of medication. They …