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Senate endorses study of prescription drug supply chain after broad stakeholder support
Summary
The committee voted to advance Senate Joint Resolution 33, authorizing a public study of the prescription drug supply chain in Montana (PBMs, plans, pharmacies, manufacturers) to identify causes of pharmacy closures and rising drug costs.
Senate Joint Resolution 33, sponsored by Senator Sue Vinton, would commission a focused, time-limited study of Montana's prescription drug supply chain to identify where pressures on pharmacies and patients are coming from and recommend policy options.
Stakeholders spanning health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, independent and chain pharmacies, unions and physicians told the committee a neutral, data-driven look at the entire system is needed. Bruce Spencer (representing several health plans) argued neutral CSI-held data could be used to produce actionable reports; Tanya Neil (Pharmaceutical Care Management Association) and Tony King (Montana Pharmacy Association) both urged a study to clarify complex interactions among plans, PBMs, PSAOs, wholesalers and pharmacies.
The committee voted to advance the resolution. Supporters said the study would engage all stakeholders, make data public where possible, and produce Montana-specific recommendations rather than piecemeal fixes.
Next steps: SJ33 passed the committee and will move forward; the study design and stakeholder engagements will be developed in subsequent steps if the resolution is enacted.
