Assembly panel considers SB 41 to curb PBM practices and boost pharmacy transparency

Sen. Wiener introduced Senate Bill 41 to require greater transparency from pharmacy benefit managers and to restrict practices he and witnesses say steer patients away from neighborhood pharmacies and drive up drug costs.

The bill, Wiener said, would “require transparency and put a stop to abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers or PBMs,” and “put an end to” patient steering that limits local dispensing options.

Supporters said the bill would help preserve independent pharmacies and reduce outsize PBM influence. Dr. Clint Hopkins, pharmacist and owner of Pucci’s Pharmacy in Sacramento, told the committee, “PBMs own health plans, the pharmacy down the street, the mailer pharmacy to where they steer patients, and they dictate contracts with underpay and force pharmacies to close.” Hopkins described local patients…