US pharmacists oppose new Medicaid Rx rule

The USA's National Community Pharmacists Association has intensified its campaign against a new Medicaid reimbursement rule which, the group argues, "grossly underpays pharmacists and puts patient access to medication at risk."

At a press conference in New Brunswick, New Jersey, representatives of several pharmacy groups, local and national, demanded the support of Representative Frank Pallone (Democrat, New Jersey), in passing legislation to overturn the new Medicaid arrangements due to take effect from October 1.

Rep Pallone, whose constituency includes New Brunswick, the base of several drugmakers including Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb, chairs the Subcommittee on Health for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. However, unless he agrees to hold hearings on the Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007 (HR 3140), the NCPA warns that "access to prescription drugs will soon be limited and expensive emergency room and doctor's office visits will become more commonplace."