NASP to Host Medicare Part D Webcast

Tomorrow, November 29 at 12 pm ET, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) will host a webcast discussing proposed changes to Medicare Part D by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), according to a press release. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask policy experts questions about these changes.

The webcast will specifically focus on changes proposed by CMS to the Any Willing Pharmacy Provisions, in addition to novel ways to share rebates and discounts, according to the release.

Review proposed changes to Part D.

The NASP will also discuss how these retroactive discounts and fees currently lead to Part D patients overpaying for prescription drugs.

Previously, the NASP has spoken out against direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees, saying how these fees threaten the viability of specialty pharmacies and the health of patients. NASP President Rebecca Shanahan recently told Specialty Pharmacy Times in an interview that DIR fees inflate drug costs for seniors who are often on complex and costly specialty drug regimens.

“We need to take a hard, close look at the big, vertically integrated pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that have grown to unforeseen proportions and are now emulating the business practices of the robber barons of the late 19th century,” said Sheila Arquette, RPh, executive director, NASP. “To make a dent in the skyrocketing costs of prescription medications, it is imperative to provide comment on CMS’ proposed rule, and work across party lines and throughout the health care continuum.”

The webcast will include pharmacy and policy experts, including Arquette, Barrett Thornhill from The McManus Group, and Jayson Slotnik from Health Policy Strategies, according to the release.

“CMS has had enough with PBM games—depriving seniors of price concession for their drugs, as well as charging pharmacies inapplicable fees is coming to an end,” Thornhill said in the release.

To join the webcast:

Webcast available here: https://goo.gl/SXCr6Q

Dial-In: (833) 286-5805

International Dial-In: (647) 689-4450

Conference ID: 8879948