New reform law looks to help Central Pennsylvania pharmacies

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A bill to help local pharmacies level the playing field against big corporations is now a law.

Legislation HB-1993 , which was signed into law by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Wednesday, limits pharmacy benefit managers from performing certain practices. These practices include patient steering, money recoupment back to the PBMs and forcing patients to order prescriptions by mail.

The bill was first introduced by State Representative Jessica Benham (D-36th). She saw different pharmacies in Allegheny County suffer, prompting her to create change.

“We’re going to make it easier for folks to use the pharmacy of their choice,” Benham said. “And we’re going to make sure that pharmacies are reimbursed fairly for the services that they provide.”

“This legislation will be a benefit to everyone,” State Representative Frank Burns (D-72nd) said. “It allows us to get more transparency and accountability into these pharmacy benefit managers, which will eventually alleviate the cost associated with prescription medication.”

Since the beginning of 2024, over 140 Pennsylvania pharmacies have closed their doors, with 11 stores being in the area.

“We appreciate the efforts that our representatives are putting forth in this legislation,” Steven Pope, director of sales and marketing at Mainline Pharmacy said. “Hopefully, it’s going to help pharmacies down the road because we don’t want to lose community pharmacies.”

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The law gives local pharmacies an opportunity to stay in business. Patients can now use the pharmacy of their choice to pick up their prescriptions at lower costs.

“We’ve always wanted a fair and balanced playing field for our community pharmacies,” Pope said. “hopefully through this legislation, it’s a start.”

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