DC Health, vendors discuss ArrayRx drug discount program and pharmacy access concerns

At the Committee on Health hearing, Heidi Murphy, operations manager for ArrayRx (Oregon Health Authority), described the ArrayRx discount-card model and presented multi-state savings metrics: Connecticut users saved roughly $2.86 million through 12/31/2025 with average savings per claim around $260; Oregon users averaged $214 savings per prescription.

"Connecticut launched the ArrayRx card 10/02/2023, and through 12/31/2025, Connecticut residents have seen a savings of $2,860,141," Murphy said, summarizing the program's early performance. She told the committee that enrollment and marketing are critical to utilization and that the card is administered via intergovernmental agreements with PBMs and administrators.

Khalil Hassam of DC Health said the agency supports the concept but emphasized that implementation requires staff and outreach. He noted concerns about independent pharmacies in lower-income wards and suggested considering a "critical access pharmacy" designation and higher reimbursements to avoid harming small local pharmacists. "Residents would need to enroll," Hassam said, describing the enrollment and point-of-sale mechanics and saying aggressive marketing is essential to reach expected sign-up rates.

Committee members asked about timeline and costs; DC Health said staffing and marketing are the main recurring costs, and that other states reported roughly 10% sign-up of the population with about 10% of those users utilizing the service in a given year. The committee requested follow-up on critical-access pharmacy options and implementation timelines before authorizing mayoral participation in the cooperative purchasing agreement.