Former NCPA President Presses for PBM Reform in Congressional Hearing

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 26, 2025) – Hugh Chancy, former president of the National Community Pharmacists Association and a co-owner of Chancy Drugs in South Georgia, implored members of Congress to take immediate action and pass common-sense pharmacy benefit manager reforms while serving as a witness in a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing today that examined PBM reform policies. Emphasizing the important role of pharmacies like his in providing essential health care services to patients, he said this work is jeopardized by the vertically integrated PBMs that determine which patients can access their pharmacy, the prices patients pay, what reimbursements pharmacies receive, and what medications are on formulary.

“We are not asking for favorable treatment, but merely a level playing field,” said Chancy’s statement for the record. “I encourage lawmakers on both sides to continue to work in a bipartisan manner to pass these reforms that save $5 billion. If not, we will see more pharmacy deserts and less access to care.”

NCPA is advocating for Congress to pass bipartisan reforms originally included in the December Continuing Resolution in any vehicle that will get them across the finish line as soon as possible this year. These measures would enhance transparency and eliminate spread pricing in Medicaid managed care programs, and require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to define and enforce reasonable and relevant contract terms in Medicare Part D which would improve patient access to medications. They would also lower costs for patients, create a fairer playing field for community pharmacies, and produce billions in taxpayer savings.

To read Chancy’s statement, click here.

To read NCPA’s statement, click here.

Additionally, as part of its multi-pronged approach to push for PBM reform to be passed as soon as possible, NCPA partnered with the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, the ERISA Industry Committee, Blue Shield of California, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, TransparencyRx, the National Grange, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and held a Feb. 25 briefing on Capitol Hill for members of Congress and their staff to learn more about this critical issue. Speakers included Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) as well as Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ more than 205,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America’s most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.