Pharmacy Choice and Access Now Coalition Launches in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN) – a coalition of consumers, local businesses and pharmacists across the nation committed to preserving access to quality and affordable health care – today announced its formation in California.  PCAN aims to provide a voice to patients, health care providers and pharmacists throughout the state, and offer sensible solutions that help ease budget shortfalls, while also maintaining quality, accessible care for pharmacy consumers on Medi-Cal and beyond.

To help reduce the budget shortfall in the state this year, California lawmakers recently mandated up to 10 percent across-the-board cuts for all Medi-Cal providers, including pharmacies that are expected to go into effect this year.  In addition, the state is in the process of revising the reimbursement methodology for pharmacies that serve low-income residents, children and the elderly that may result in additional reductions.  This is expected to be completed later this summer.

"These measures, taken together and individually, are damaging and threaten patient access to prescription medicines as well as the viability of community-based pharmacies throughout California," said Paul Rohrer, president & chief executive officer of the Professional Pharmacy Alliance of California.  "The cuts to pharmacies will reduce reimbursement rates for the dispensing of medications, in some instances, below their actual cost of service.  If pharmacies cannot recover fair compensation for drug acquisition and servicing costs, we will likely see a severe reduction in the number of pharmacies that participate in Medi-Cal and employ thousands of Californians.  We also believe these cuts, which threaten the viability of Medicaid pharmacy services, are in violation of Federal law and administration policy.  We call on the Obama Administration to reject them."

Budget cuts and associated changes combined with the move to managed care pharmacy services for senior citizens and the disabled will severely limit choice and access for some of the neediest Californians.  Medi-Cal patients, many of whom have limited access to transportation, will face increased challenges to obtain the prescriptions they need from the local pharmacy they know and trust. 

As the state continues its implementation of managed pharmacy care, we call on state officials to build in the following protections for patients and community pharmacies:

• Open access pharmacy networks within a managed care framework,
• Permitting users of Medi-Cal pharmacy services to continue to retain the option of being served by their community pharmacy rather than by a mail-order service,
• Prompt pay for crucial pharmacy services, and full transparency regarding administrative and other fees charged by pharmacy benefit managers.

"Community-based pharmacies have been the cornerstone of California communities, small and large for generations, and local pharmacists know their customers best," said Rohrer.  "We can't let unnecessary bureaucracy get in the way of patient care.  And this isn't just about Medi-Cal recipients.  If the local pharmacies close down, it will negatively impact entire communities across California."

Community pharmacies represent a significant part of the state's economy and employ thousands of Californians.  These pharmacies often offer the greatest access to affordable and basic health services to underserved populations.  Working with legislators across the state, PCAN plans to push for sensible solutions to address healthcare budget shortfalls that preserve consumer choice and access, while cutting costs and making effective use of taxpayer dollars.

About PCAN

Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN) is a coalition of consumers, local business and pharmacists across the nation committed to preserving quality and affordable health care and pharmacy services for patients.  We are committed to providing the most cost-effective solutions in the areas of health care and pharmacy services to enable states around the country to help solve their budget woes, while maintaining quality care for children, families and other Medicaid-served populations.

For more information on Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN), visit www.rxchoiceandaccess.com.

SOURCE Pharmacy Choice and Access Now