NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson issued the following statement on the April 1, 2023, implementation of the NYRx New York Medicaid pharmacy benefit:

“New York made a promise to Medicaid beneficiaries and to taxpayers, and New York kept that promise by standing up to ‘PBMs’ and moving forward with the April 1 rollout of NYRx. NACDS commends Governor Hochul, members of her administration, and legislators for standing strong and for providing Medicaid patients the choice of their pharmacy, access to the medications that are right for them, and improved care for individuals with HIV, hepatitis C, diabetes, asthma, substance use disorders, and other chronic conditions.

“With this move, Governor Hochul is putting the state’s resources into helping the most vulnerable and getting the best deal for New York taxpayers. This is a better approach than the ‘pharmaceutical benefit manipulation’ that puts PBM profits over patients.

“NACDS appreciates the dedicated work of member pharmacies in New York, of the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State, of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, and of all those who helped to stand up for New Yorkers.

“Similar transitions now have occurred recently in California, Ohio, and Kentucky – and Louisiana hopefully will soon make an important and similar move for its citizens. This is all part of bipartisan work at the federal and state levels to put patients first.

“According to a poll conducted by Morning Consult and commissioned by NACDS, an amazing 79 percent of New Yorkers say pharmacists are ‘very credible’ or ‘somewhat credible’ sources when it comes to information about how to save money on prescription drugs. Pharmacists are the most credible sources tested in this poll. Pharmacists have been pleased to help stand up for this vitally important move to NYRx – and will do so in other states as well.”