The Health Equity Action Brief on Geographic Inequality highlights a concerning trend of widening geographic inequality over the past four decades and what managed care can do to address these potential policy biases.
January 2024 Legislative & Regulatory Briefing: AMCP Unveils New Pharmacy Advocacy Leaders (PAL) Program; AMCP Comments on Regulatory Considerations for Prescription Drug Use-Related Software; AMCP Comments on Medicare Program; Contract Year 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program; AMCP Comments on HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025; AMCP Report Illustrates Benefits of Managed Care Pharmacy.
In a historic decision in December, the FDA approved the first gene therapy utilizing CRISPR, an innovative type of genome editing technology. This significant moment means that the novel therapy Casgevy is approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease—which affects 100,000 Americans—in patients 12 years of age and older.
On January 17, AMCP joined dozens of other pharmacy organizations in a joint letter which expresses concerns about the FDA's recent authorization of Florida's state drug importation program. The undersigning organizations believe this importation program may lead to the importation of harmful and counterfeit drugs into the United States, with little evidence of cost savings. The organizations remain committed to alleviating the high cost of medicines in the United States, but oppose state drug importation programs that may compromise patient safety.
On Jan. 11, AMCP joined with 65 other healthcare organizations in a sign-on letter urging the Biden Administration to implement policies that would stabilize and support a strong, sustainable Medicare Advantage program for its beneficiaries. The letter comes as the Administration and CMS continue to enact significant policy changes to the Medicare Advantage program, which serves 51 percent of the Medicare population.
AMCP opposes attempts to erode the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Medicare Part D preemption. AMCP believes that the certainty that comes with a single uniform federal standard ensures that plans subject to these laws are better able to provide access to needed medications regardless of where the patient lives or works.
AMCP supports a wide range of measures that strike a balance between market-oriented principles and prudent regulations. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) help facilitate patient access to medication at an affordable price.