MONTGOMERY — A new compromise bill regulating pharmacy benefit managers in Alabama will be filed soon.
PBMs are intermediaries between pharmacies and health insurance companies. Supporters of the entities say they help keep costs down for consumers. Pharmacists blame PBMs for putting independent pharmacies out of business. PBMs argue they help keep drug costs down for consumers and businesses.
The two bills regulating PBMs are Senate Bill 93 by State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) and Senate Bill 99 by State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia). Neither bill was voted on in committee last week. The Alabama Pharmacy Association supported Senate Bill 93, and the Alabama Independent Pharmacy Association backed Senate Bill 99.
Legislators and both pharmacy groups are working on another bill that would be a compromise between the two bills.
"We're working together to try to find a compromise. No final product yet, but we're going to keep working!" Jones told 1819 News on Wednesday.
Stutts told 1819 News on Wednesday, "We're going to have something possibly as early as tomorrow."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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