Alabama approves regulations on pharmacy benefit managers in order to help small pharmacies
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday voted to put new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers in an effort to curb the closure of small pharmacies across the state.
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 102-0 for the proposal that will require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse independent pharmacists at least at the state Medicaid rate for prescription drugs. The bill now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
“This has been a win for the people of Alabama. It’s been a huge win for the community pharmacists in the state of Alabama who just want to be able to go to work, make a living and take care of their patients,” Sen. Billy Beasley, a Democratic senator who sponsored the bill, said after it won final approval. Beasley is a retired pharmacist.
Dozens of independent pharmacies, many in rural areas, have shuttered in Alabama over the last two years, according to the Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance. Pharmacists said that is because it can often cost more to dispense a drug than they are reimbursed by pharmacy benefit managers.
Pharmacy benefit managers leverage purchasing power with drug companies with the goal of driving down drug costs for consumers. However, independent pharmacists say the business practices of benefit managers cause them to lose money on about 20% of prescriptions.
Alabama is one of several states considering new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen between health insurance companies, drug companies and pharmacies. Legislation seeking regulations on the benefit managers was also been proposed in Mississippi, Arkansas and other states.
Dominion, the voting tech company at the center of false 2020 claims, is sold
Dominion Voting Systems, the company at the center of false fraud claims about the 2020 election, has been acquired by an entity called Liberty Vote.
Justice Department indicts Letitia James after pressure from Trump
The indictment comes after steady pressure from President Trump to prosecute James, who successfully sued Trump and his company for inflating the value of some of its properties.
Once the Gaza ceasefire goes into effect, what happens next? Here’s what to know
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the "first phase" of a plan promoted by President Trump to end the war in Gaza. A ceasefire is expected to go into effect after an Israeli Cabinet vote.
Despite stiff opposition, Bessemer changes its laws to accommodate data centers
Residents in and around Bessemer expressed continued disapproval of a plan to build a 14.5 million square foot data center in their back yards. Now, the city is one step closer to final approval.
This #MeToo melodrama isn’t great, but Julia Roberts’ performance is
Roberts plays a Yale professor whose life unravels after one of her colleagues is accused of sexually assaulting a student. After the Hunt is an academic potboiler that muddles its central issue.
What to know about the Nobel Peace Prize
Anticipation is growing and bookies around the world are taking bets on who'll be awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Here is what to know ahead of the award announcement this week.
