My path to the pharmacy started in high school, when my grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer. Unfortunately, due to limited treatment and care options at the time, he passed away within six months of his diagnosis; however, the experience inspired my desire to become a healthcare provider and deliver the care he deserved to patients of my own.
Driven by my passion for patient-centered care, I began my career in medical research but quickly turned to community pharmacy. Today, after nearly 21 years as a practicing pharmacist, I proudly serve as manager of quality and patient safety for CVS Specialty here in Raleigh, supervising a dedicated team of specially trained pharmacists who ensure patients with complex and rare conditions receive the specialty medications they need safely and accurately.
I recall one patient — let’s call him Ben — a four-year-old suffering from severe hemophilia. His mother, who trusted me enough to open up about the day-to-day challenges of parenting a child with a complex health condition, would often call with questions about her son’s medications. With each call, I could hear her becoming more confident navigating the administration of her son’s medications and fulfilling her role as caregiver.
Beyond the clinical issues, Ben’s mother was concerned about the high price tag associated with his prescriptions, as a 10-day supply of medication could cost upwards of $300,000. Big drug companies regularly set high list prices for specialty medications, particularly on new and promising ones.
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS Caremark go head-to-head with big drug companies to lower the cost of prescription drugs for patients like mine. Caremark works hard to secure savings for North Carolinians who would otherwise struggle to afford these vital medicines. CVS Specialty also screens each patient to see if they are eligible for financial assistance to further lower the cost of their specialty medications.
However, I am worried about possible legislation here in North Carolina that would compromise patient safety and impede PBMs’ ability to manage costs for patients like the ones I serve. HB 246 undermines important safety and quality requirements that are set by third party accreditation groups for pharmacies that handle medications for chronic conditions. Not every pharmacy is equipped to safely handle and provide complex medications to patients; limiting valuable tools used to maintain high network participation standards may not be in patients’ best interests.
That’s not all. HB 246 would increase health care costs by adding a $10.24 fee to many prescriptions filled in the state. It will also undercut home delivery options that many health-plan sponsors currently offer to their members. Many elderly and rural North Carolinians rely on this option to easily obtain the prescription drugs they need, and many health plans afford members who take advantage of home delivery additional cost savings. Curtailing home delivery options could disrupt the logistics and finances of getting many North Carolinians the crucial medications they need.
While we all know the cost of prescription medications is rising, and I applaud lawmakers’ efforts to lower prices, HB 246 is not a solution and will result in higher health care costs for North Carolinians.
I know from experience how important it is to foster a strong patient-pharmacist relationship and protect affordability for patients struggling with the high prices of medications. For people like Ben — and caregivers like his mother — it makes all the difference.
I call on North Carolina’s legislature to reject proposals that would compromise patient safety and limit PBMs’ ability to drive down costs.