Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2021
MARYLAND INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES THANK GOVERNOR HOGAN FOR SIGNING PBM REFORM BILL INTO LAW
Maryland joins multiple other states in raising accountability standards on pharmacy benefit managers
​
​
BALTIMORE, MD (June 1, 2021) - Independent Pharmacies of Maryland (IPMD), a local pharmacy advocacy group, stepped forward today to thank the vision and efforts of Delegate Kipke and the Maryland state legislature, and to applaud Governor Larry Hogan for signing PBM reform bill HB 601, into law.
“It's a real win for pharmacies and their patients across the state,” said Maryland pharmacy owner and IPMD board member Deepak Kini. “Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have taken advantage of loopholes in state law language for far too long -- to the detriment of Maryland pharmacies and patients. HB 601 closes many of those loopholes by tightening up definitions surrounding PBM business practices.”
HB 601, a pharmacy benefit manager revisions bill, streamlines the definition of “pharmacy benefit manager” in relation to their purpose within the healthcare spectrum. It also implements elements of the Rutledge v PCMA Supreme Court decision by allowing the state, for the first time, to regulate ERISA plan PBMs, prohibit many fees associated with those plans, and lays the groundwork for further regulation of PBM practices within ERISA.
“This law continues Maryland’s leadership status in the healthcare reform fight,” says Kini. “The unanimous decision by the Supreme Court was a ruling in favor of state’s rights to regulate healthcare within their boundaries. This bill gives Maryland patients and pharmacies protections against out-of-state corporations attempting to circumvent state law for their own gains. By signing HB 601, Governor Hogan is showing that the state of Maryland puts Maryland's patients and local businesses first.”
###
​
Independent Pharmacies of Maryland (IPMD) advocates on behalf of Maryland’s small business community pharmacies and their patients against PBM unethical business practices in the interest of improving the quality, safety, and cost of patient care. To learn more, visit our website at IPMDunited.org.
​
​
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2019
MARYLAND INDEPENDENT PHARMACISTS THANK MARYLAND STATE LEGISLATURE FOR PASSAGE OF 3 BILLS PROTECTING PATIENTS AND PHARMACIES
New Laws Usher in the Beginning of Sweeping Pharmacy Benefit Manager Regulation and Reform
​
BALTIMORE, MD (April 3, 2019) – The Independent Pharmacies of Maryland (IPMD) thank the Maryland State Legislature for passage of three bills that provide a solid base for the beginnings of sweeping Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) regulation and reform. HB589, HB754 and HB759, were passed by a unanimous bipartisan vote in the Maryland General Assembly. When enacted these bills will provide regulation, clarification and oversight of PBM audit processes and appeals, reform PBM predatory business practices with regards to fees and patient pharmacy choice, and require documentation and mathematical transparency of PBMs during all audit and appeals processes under the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA).
“At at time when Maryland patients are paying the highest possible prices for medications while pharmacies are being driven to the brink of closure, we appreciate our legislators for recognizing the problem and taking steps to curtail the era of patients and taxpayers spending more but receiving less,” said Kunjal Patel, IPMD president.
IPMD also wishes to thank the bipartisan leadership of Senate President Mike Miller and Delegates Nic Kipke, Erek Barron and Matt Morgan in addition to the MPhA, EPIC Pharmacies, Independent Pharmacists of Maryland, CARE Pharmacies, Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacy Association, Pharmacist United for Truth and Transparency, Maryland Insurance Administration and Maryland Department of Health for their continued support and roles in taking steps to protect Maryland patients and pharmacies from the outfall of PBM abuse, the results of which include higher drug prices, higher insurance premiums, fewer choices and less care.
​
###
​
Independent Pharmacies of Maryland IPMD is an organization of local independent pharmacists united in the mission to keep Maryland healthy through the preservation of hometown pharmacy and by advocating for laws that protect pharmacy patients while exposing the anti-competitive practices of the largest pharmacy benefit managers. To learn more about IPMD, visit IPMDUnited.org.
​