Arlington, VA — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has launched a six-figure advertising campaign urging Congress to enact comprehensive pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform to help lower Americans’ drug costs and protect patient access to pharmacy care.
The campaign launches as Congress works to pass a new spending package by January 30, 2026, to avoid a government shutdown, underscoring that this package represents Congress’ best and most immediate opportunity to deliver meaningful reform.
The campaign features two ads, “Real Reform” and “Get It Done.” “Real Reform” makes clear that half-measures such as transparency alone will not stop the harmful PBM practices driving pharmacy closures and limiting patient access to care. “Get It Done” highlights the real-world consequences of continued congressional inaction for patients, pharmacies, and communities nationwide. The ads are running on cable television, digital platforms, and streaming services in Washington, D.C.
“Congress knows the PBM system is broken, and patients and pharmacies are paying the price for continued inaction,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Every day lawmakers delay, more neighborhood pharmacies close and more Americans lose access to affordable, local care. This campaign is a call to action: it’s time to get it done — and get it done right — by finally holding PBMs accountable.”
Since Congress’ near-win on PBM reform in December 2024, pharmacies have closed at a net rate of more than six per day nationwide. Over the past year alone, more than 2,200 pharmacies have shut their doors, and Americans have lost more than 13 percent of their pharmacies since January 2018. Without comprehensive PBM reform, patients will continue to face inflated drug costs and lose access to the pharmacy of their choice.
Absent action in this spending package, pharmacy closures will continue to accelerate, further eroding access to care — particularly for seniors and rural communities.
Watch “Real Reform” and “Get It Done”.
