Northwest PA News

Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), the Republican chair of the House Health Committee, has confirmed that the committee approved a legislative bill aiming to increase oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Pennsylvania. This bill seeks to limit or prohibit certain PBM actions that negatively impact independent pharmacies.

"Since the beginning of the year, more than 140 pharmacies have closed in Pennsylvania, with more likely to close if we do not act,” Rapp stated. “This legislation will help level the playing field for our independent pharmacies, giving Pennsylvanians more choices to fill their prescriptions.”

Additionally, the committee passed another measure intended to broaden the range of prescription drugs eligible for donation through the Cancer Drug Repository Program. This is expected to boost both patient and pharmacy participation in the program.

“Nearly half the states in the U.S. allow people to donate to a drug repository program,” Rapp explained. “Allowing folks to do so in the Commonwealth will hopefully increase participation in this program by pharmacies, as only two pharmacies currently accept donated cancer drugs.”

Moreover, the committee approved a bill by a 20-4 vote that focuses on state-level oversight of hospital price transparency and the prohibition of certain collection actions. Rapp commented on the bipartisan nature of the bill, stating, “This bill is an example of both sides of the aisle coming together to try to address an important issue. Price transparency is important. It promotes healthy competition in health care, which will benefit patients.”

These bills now move to the full House for consideration. Apart from these legislative measures, the committee also passed three resolutions designating awareness months and days in 2024. These include designating July as "MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Awareness Month," recognizing June as "Scleroderma Awareness Month" and June 29 as "World Scleroderma Day," and June 25 as "World Vitiligo Day."