The Overarching Implications of PBM Reform on the State Level

As its constituents wait for release of a temporary legislative hold, Iowa is getting ready to begin enforcing Senate File 383—which prohibits a variety of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices. Despite a federal judge temporary blocking the bill, whenever it’s finally placed into law, SF 383 has the potential to bolster pharmacy access in Iowa and encourage similar actions on the federal level.

“We’re certainly seeing a snowball effect,” Brett Barker, PharmD, Iowa state representative in the 51st District, told Drug Topics. “I think that's why the opposition is so loud, because they see that they're losing momentum. They see that the PBM reform is gaining traction.”

Barker has an extensive career in the pharmacy industry and has since pivoted to focus on legislation in his state of Iowa. As a contributor to SF 383, the bill is intended to serve as relief for Iowa pharmacies and the stakeholders that have been advocating for them.

“Our bill does a lot of things. One, it adds transparency to the system. It has a predictable payment model; it makes sure that patients ultimately get to choose their care provider,” he continued. “Then, it also makes pharmacies full and makes sure we get paid what it costs us to put the drugs on our shelves. Those are kind of the 4 legs of the stool here of this piece of legislation.”

Listen to the full-length conversation with Barker as he dives into SF 383 and what it may mean for the larger US pharmacy industry.

Stay tuned for weekly podcast episodes on Over the Counter every Thursday afternoon. Check out our previous episode with Rick Gates, Walgreens Chief Pharmacy Officer and Chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. He discussed the ongoing challenges in retail pharmacy and the industry-wide change necessary to overcome them.

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