Achieving PBM Reform Through Public Engagement, Advocacy

Through his work with Patient Protector, meeting with constituents and pharmacy industry leaders, Bil Schmidtknecht has been spreading the word on potential impacts stemming from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their business tactics. Since experiencing tragedy in his life directly stemming from a PBMs’ dropped medication, Schmidtknecht has continuously shared his story with those in positions to enact change.

“Overall, our biggest thing we had to do was get people working together, because there's a billion different organizations out there, and they all try to do it,” he told Drug Topics. “If we can come together in a team fashion with the same message, we're going to make some action.”

In this part of our interview with Schmidtknecht, he dives into some of the concrete actions he and his peers have taken to introduce state- and federal-level reform in the pharmacy benefits industry. He shared some of the recent wins he and his teams have achieved, the goals they are looking to accomplish later on in 2025, and the myriad of organizations and advocacy groups he’s working with.

“I truly believe this year, September, we're going to be working with NCPA, Pharmacists United, Patient Protector’s coming in there, and all these pharmacists out there,” continued Schmidtknecht. “We're all going to have the same voice, because we're all talking the same talk, and working with our legislative contacts.”

In case you missed it, check out part 1 of our interview with Schmidtknecht, where he shared his son Cole’s story and the reasons that pushed him into the patient advocacy space. Also, be sure to check out part 2 and part 3, where Schmidtknecht dives into the common PBM practices often conducted by the Big 3 PBMs.

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