PBM Act: Separating PBMs and Pharmacies to Boost Competition
The Patients Before Monopolies Act (PBM Act) would stop pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance companies from owning pharmacies. It would require these companies to sell off their pharmacy businesses within one year after the bill becomes law. This bill aims to lower prescription drug costs for patients by increasing competition.
Today, large pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) often own pharmacies and insurance companies. This means they can decide which drugs health plans cover, what prices patients pay, and how much pharmacies get paid, sometimes favoring their own affiliated pharmacies. This can lead to less competition and higher prescription drug costs. If this bill becomes law, PBMs and insurance companies would no longer be allowed to own pharmacies. They would have one year to sell off these businesses. This change aims to create more competition in the drug market, potentially lowering costs for patients and helping independent pharmacies. Federal and state agencies, along with individuals, would have new powers to enforce these rules and take legal action against companies that don't comply.
HR 8779 · 119th Congress · May 13, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10
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