Making Healthcare Affordable & Accessible in the Northwest
We are an alliance representing the private and public sectors who have come together to improve drug safety, provide choice, and lower prescription drug prices for patients and families on behalf of plans and their vendors.
PBMs play a vital role in making health care more affordable, and accessible, and in securing the best possible prices for the consumer.
FACT:
Drug Manufacturer Control Drug Prices
In the United States, drug prices are primarily set by pharmaceutical companies. These companies manufacture and sell drugs, often pricing medications without extensive explanation or breakdown of why costs may significantly exceed research-and-development (R&D) expenses.
Sources:
How are prescription drug prices determined?
Prescription Drug Price Controls and State-Level Policymaking
Pharmaceutical Price Controls - American Experiment
Government regulated or negotiated drug prices: Key design
Biden Prescription Drug Pricing & Price Controls | Pharmaceutical Drugs
About our alliance
The Northwest Alliance for Affordable Medicine (NWAAM) is a coalition of
small businesses, former elected officials, community organizations, and
individuals who have come together to protect consumer choices and
advocate for patients and families by working against legislation that will
reduce benefit options and increase prescription drug costs..
Hear It For Yourself
During the year 2023, employers, labor organizations, and individuals took a stand in hearings against the aggressive actions targeting Pharmacy Benefit Companies. For an insightful message, feel free to listen here. It is crucial for everyone to raise their voice and move beyond the empty talk surrounding healthcare costs. Instead, let us focus on what truly matters:healthcare affordability.
What Pharmacy Benefit Companies Do?
A pharmacy benefit company is hired by employers, labor unions, and governments (including the State of Regon and Washington), to improve care and save money for the people covered by their health plan offerings.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
save money and ease organizational burden for employers, labor unions, governments, patients, and taxpayers by…
Negotiating with PHARMA and pharmacists for
lower prices for prescription drugs while providing
clear financial information on rebates, fees, and
payments.
• Managing claims and navigating coverage options.
• Providing decision-makers with data such as
per-prescription costs and drug utilization.
What Is Happening?
Several bills were introduced in 2023 that would increase costs for consumer and reduce choice under the guise of PBM reform. This attack by industry supply chain partners is unprecedented and is fraught with misinformation.