Independent pharmacy owners from Orange County and beyond joined a final statewide push today for the on-time implementation of NYRx, which is New York State’s plan to expand pharmacy access for more than 8,000,000 Medicaid patients. The plan is estimated to save the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. See the video below.
“New York has planned under NYRx to reinvest every dollar it saves back into 340B-eligible health care providers,” said Mark Freitas, owner of the Washingtonville Pharmacy. “This year, the savings will be $410 million. Next year, the savings will be $540 million. 340B entities say that NYRx will hurt poor, disadvantaged, LGBTQ, communities of color and more. Today we are being very clear: we serve those patients too, every bit as much as 340B entities, and we need NYRx to remain in business and continue to serve those communities.”
Critically, NYRx removes for-profit pharmacy benefit managers (PBM’s) from New York’s Medicaid reimbursement model, placing the combined patient purchasing power and fair pharmacy reimbursement back in the hands of the state.
“NYRx guarantees that Medicaid pharmacy patients have access to the pharmacy of their choice,” said Al Squitieri, owner of NeighboRx Pharmacy in Slate Hill. “We are asking Governor Hochul and state legislators to stand tall, and reject any repeal or replacement of the NYRx plan that we are expecting to start this Saturday.”
Preparation for this plan has been underway for more than two years. A statewide command center and call center have been established to handle any issues. Pharmacies will be on the front lines to get people the medication they need.
The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY), which is pushing for the approval, has advocated on behalf of pharmacists to improve patient care for more than 138 years.
