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Local pharmacists, doctors and advocates urge committee to back the Fair Rx Act
Summary
Multiple community witnesses — including a pastor/pharmacist, a federally qualified health center doctor, and a faith-based advocate — urged passage of HB 1959, saying vertical integration harms local pharmacies and patient access; Dr. Shannon Berger said, "The referee should not own the team."
Several witnesses told the committee HB 1959 would protect neighborhood pharmacies and preserve access for low-income and rural patients. Bishop Kevin Adams of the Shepherds for Healthier Communities network said the bill "is a cruel and calculated strike against the poor" as written in testimony urging the committee to consider the impact of reduced local pharmacy access.
Dr. Shannon Berger of Simpa Community Care told the committee, "The referee should not own the team," describing community pharmacies as essential infrastructure and citing audit findings she said showed large disparities in reimbursement between affiliated and independent pharmacies. Independent pharmacist Dr. James Griffith described repeated practices — audits, clawbacks and steering — that he said make the marketplace unfair for small pharmacies.
