In case you missed it, President Trump last night signed landmark federal PBM reforms into law — a major victory driven by sustained advocacy and an extraordinary grassroots effort from NACDS members nationwide.
A Washington Post article captures both the significance of this achievement — and the reality that the fight is far from over.
The piece makes clear how the PBM industry is already responding: declaring the issue “settled,” urging policymakers to move on, and attempting to redirect scrutiny elsewhere — while repeating familiar claims that downplay the real harm PBM middlemen practices have caused to patients, pharmacies, employers, and communities.
That posture says it all. Rather than acknowledging the systemic abusesCongress just acted to address, the PBM industry is trying to shut down momentum and reset the narrative before meaningful implementation and additional reforms can take hold.
NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson then sets the record straight, commending these historic reforms while making clear they are a foundation — not a finish line:
“The abuses of the dominant PBM middlemen are widely recognized, and this landmark federal action reflects the broad, bipartisan commitment to confront and remedy them.
“This is the most important federal achievement yet for PBM reform, and it will sustain and build momentum for further reforms where needed.”
That distinction matters. While these reforms establish critical guardrails, more work remains to fully protect patient access, ensure fair reimbursement, and hold dominant PBM middlemen accountable.
We are deeply grateful to the many members who have participated time and time again in our ongoing grassroots efforts surrounding PBM reform. The PBM industry’s response only reinforces why we must stay engaged and vigilant.
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