[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 182 (Friday, November 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DRUG PRICES

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, representing a rural district in which many 
small towns rely on just one pharmacy to access lifesaving drugs has 
made me a believer in the value of community pharmacists. I also 
believe in free markets and competition, but a healthy market requires 
transparency and a level playing field.
  Unfortunately, based upon my recent visits to community pharmacists 
in towns like Golconda, Rosiclare, and Carmi, pharmacy benefit 
managers, PBMs, are threatening the solvency of these community 
institutions by using complicated formularies that often result in 
local pharmacies being reimbursed less per prescription than their 
higher volume, big box peers, and direct and indirect remuneration, or 
DIR, fees, which create uncertainty and can impose a serious cash flow 
squeeze that too many times forces independent pharmacists to close 
their doors or sell their businesses.
  Drug prices are a big issue. We can help bring down costs by reducing 
barriers to drug development and delivery while increasing competition 
through transparency that allows everyone to compete on a level playing 
field.

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