Today marks a defining moment in the journey to reshape American healthcare. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) strongly commends Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rick Allen (R-GA), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Greg Murphy (R-NC), John Rose (R-TN), Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Derek Tran (D-CA), for their leadership in introducing the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025.
For too long, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have operated unchecked, wielding outsized influence as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain. The impact is clear and unacceptable: since 2018, more than 5,800 pharmacies have shuttered their doors, with closures now accelerating to nearly four per day. Over 800 zip codes have lost access to a local pharmacy.
The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 is a direct response to these urgent challenges. The bill would require PBMs to open their networks to any willing pharmacy under fair and relevant contract terms, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It establishes powerful transparency requirements, bans spread pricing, assures fair reimbursement for pharmacies, and tackles anti-competitive practices that have driven up drug costs and limited patient choice. The legislation also empowers the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of Inspector General to enforce these reforms, ensuring PBMs are held accountable and cannot retaliate against pharmacies or withhold critical information.
“PBM reform is not just a policy debate — it’s about access, affordability, and fairness for every American who depends on prescription medications,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Every day that passes without action means more pharmacies close, more patients lose access, and drug prices continue to rise. The time for Congress to call the vote and pass this bill is now.”
The legislation is both sweeping and precise. It establishes a standardized process for pharmacies to report PBM contract violations, mandates public reporting on pharmacy access and reimbursement trends, and ensures that PBMs can receive only bona fide service fees — thereby eliminating hidden revenue streams that have distorted the market for years. Regular audits, annual transparency reports, and strict penalties for non-compliance are all built into the bill, restoring trust and accountability to the prescription drug system.
The call for immediate PBM reform resounds across the nation, with 71% of voters now prioritizing PBM reform. The issue also commands overwhelming support in both chambers of Congress, with the reforms in this bill reflecting broad consensus from committees of jurisdiction and meeting the needs of patients, pharmacies, employers, and taxpayers alike.
“Congress has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to deliver this win for the American people,” Anderson said. “These reforms are ready to go, have been previously agreed upon by both parties, and the cost of further delay is simply unacceptable. NACDS urges every member of Congress to stand with patients and pharmacies by advancing this essential legislation expeditiously.”
The introduction of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 is more than a legislative milestone — it’s a rallying point for restoring transparency, competition, and fairness in the prescription drug marketplace. NACDS is committed to working with lawmakers, industry partners, and patient advocates to secure swift passage and implementation of these critical reforms.
