The use of pharmacy DIR fees has increased by 45,000% between 2010 and 2017, per a letter from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., to Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar.
In comments to the House Ways and Means committee, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores pointed out that DIR fee reform can reduce patients’ out-of-pocket drug costs and overall healthcare spending,
The Association for Accessible Medicines has told members of Congress that the Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 would decrease patient access to generics and biosimilars.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association praised a letter from senators to Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar urging action on DIR fee reform and an end to unfair practices to pharmacies.
The Trump Administration's 2019 National Drug Control Strategy is consistent with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' public policy recommendations, the organization said.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference 2019 began with a focus on its Access Agenda and the role that pharmacies play in patients' lives and in health care.