Peach Tree Times

Dorothy Leone-Glasser, Executive Director of Advocates for Responsible Care in Georgia, expressed concern over patients being "harmed by PBM egregious practices." This statement was made to Peach Tree Times on February 1, 2025.

"The Rx in Reach GA Coalition is most concerned with our chronically ill populations being harmed by PBM egregious practices like significantly marking up numerous cancers, Lupus, HIV and other “critical specialty drugs," said Leone-Glasser, Executive Director & CEO. "There are no generics for the most effective drugs for our seriously ill patients. PBMs use dispensing patterns that suggest the Big 3 PBMs are steering highly profitable prescriptions to their own affiliated pharmacies (and away from unaffiliated independent pharmacies). They are also denying affordable access and patient assistance funds to patients, The three biggest PBMs also generated an estimated $1.4 billion of income from spread pricing —billing their plan sponsor clients more than they reimburse pharmacies for drugs."

According to Patient Daily, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that the three largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have increased costs for essential prescription medications through practices such as spread pricing. This involves charging health plans more than they reimburse pharmacies and keeping the difference as profit. The report also indicated that PBM rebate agreements with drug manufacturers incentivize higher list prices for medications, leading to increased patient costs.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has urged the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate PBMs as a primary source of waste and inefficiencies in federal programs. NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey said that PBMs "hold states and the federal government hostage" by threatening to raise premiums if required to operate transparently and have spent millions fighting legislation aimed at increasing accountability, according to Patient Daily.

Leone-Glasser said that Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC) support House Bill 100, introduced by Representative Demetrius Douglas. The bill aims to protect consumers from excessive prescription drug costs by increasing pricing transparency, regulating pharmacy benefit manager practices, and ensuring fair access to affordable medications.

Dorothy Leone-Glasser is a registered nurse and healthcare consultant who leads ARxC, a nonprofit focused on healthcare advocacy. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Arthritis Foundation of Georgia and provides advocacy consulting to various organizations. Leone-Glasser also leads the Rx in Reach GA Coalition, which supports legislation on PBM oversight, step therapy reform, and mental health parity in Georgia.

ARxC is a Georgia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and patient access to care. Founded in 2010, ARxC facilitates the Rx in Reach Georgia Coalition and the Georgia Coalition for Safe Communities. It works with healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers to inform, educate, and mobilize communities on healthcare policies and initiatives.