Kaci Johnson

Christian. Indie Pharmacy Owner. Go Noles

[Representative Tarik Khan @RepTarik]

PBMs were supposed to lower costs. Instead, 3 mega corporations now control roughly 80% of the market while prescription drug prices rise and independent pharmacies struggle to survive.

[Pharmassists @Pharmassists]

Independent pharmacies are being reimbursed at rates more appropriate for vending machines, despite facing significant regulatory requirements and operational costs. Mandatory dispensing fees are necessary to ensure fair compensation to cover services.

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@DrOzCMS Love some PBM reform… the kind where they can’t pay themselves $50 to dispense a drug and pay my little pharmacy $0.30 to dispense the same drug

[Pharmassists @Pharmassists]

States should have the right to make sure locally owned independent pharmacies are paid fairly. Money taken away to Missouri via spread pricing isn't good for Florida. @GovRonDeSantis

[KP, Pharm.D. @kpharmd12]

Just did a price check online through https://t.co/n01LhR1H0j for #60 pregabalin (Lyrica) 75mg capsules utilizing the Part-D Plan @WellcarePlans

Walmart price = $34.47

CVS price = $33.60

Walgreens price = $33.60

Kroger price = $33.60

Genoa Healthcare (subsidiary of United Healthcare) = $12.45

Any independent pharmacy = $4.80

Does anyone see the problem here?

Is @WellcarePlans comfortable paying large chain pharmacies 7x more than an independent pharmacy for the same prescription medication?

Apparently they are.

So much for @ExpressScripts “negotiating” lower prices for Americans.

How many unsuspecting people get screwed when their local “cheap” pharmacy option closes because $4.80 doesn’t cover their operating expenses, let alone the cost of the drug?

Then their only options are Walgreens, Walmart, CVS where they get to pay over $30 for the same drug.

Small pharmacies aren’t negotiating to be the cheapest option. If we accept the insurance contract, they TELL US what we get to charge the patient.

Make it make sense! @DrOzCMS @DonaldJTrumpJr @realDonaldTrump @DrMakaryFDA @CMSGov

[Pharmassists @Pharmassists]

Doesn't matter what the drug is. Doesn't matter what the quantity is. No insurance payment should be 0.14 cents. That doesn't even cover the label and escript fee. Insurance payment desperately needs a floor dispensing fee of no less than $10.

[KP, Pharm.D. @kpharmd12]

I’m just an independent pharmacy owner trying to survive on the profit margin of a rest area vending machine.

[APCI @_APCI]

Another independent pharmacy closes it's doors. #PBMReforms are coming too late for too many. | @TheBradfordEra
https://t.co/ckIpiOq5Ai

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@DonaldJTrumpJr @ByronDonalds Ask him his thoughts about PBMs and the medicaid plans that I am paid below the cost of buying the medicine at my independent pharmacy

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@mattvanswol Good to know, I wanted to take a trip with my kids, it has been hesitant

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

Somebody buy my RapidPak machine please and thanks! Asking $20k obo

[KP, Pharm.D. @kpharmd12]

Next big thing that needs to happen ASAP:

Ban spread pricing in every ACA plan.

It’s putting your local pharmacy out of business.

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@KatiePavlichNN @KatiePavlich @ArtDelCuetoAZ Probably used AI to write the letter

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@JayDee909771543 Agreed

[sparflorida @sparflorida]

Is it real that just in this January 18 independent pharmacies in Florida closed? Gotta triple check that @RonDeSantis @GovGoneWild @C_Farrill @AHCA_FL @Fla_Pol @SayfieReview @nfib_fl @TruthRX @TDOnline

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@AFergusonFTC Thank you! We are all praying we actually see some relief from somewhere and from somewhere soon! I am afraid it will be too late for many

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@FmrRepMattGaetz As an independent pharmacist, I will believe it when I see it actually implemented …..

[Kaci Johnson @Kacijohnsonrx]

@DonaldJTrumpJr But I think it is ridiculous that any legislation being considered says it wouldn’t start until like 2029 …. Independent pharmacies need help now!

[KP, Pharm.D. @kpharmd12]

Send a claim for a Medicare Advantage patient for some pen needles for their insulin pens…

Find an inexpensive brand for $6.31 for a box of #100

NDC not covered.
Use BD-EMBECTA PRODUCT ONLY.

Find the Embecta Brand they want, box of #100 costs $70.86

Bill the @DevotedHealth plan for the pen needles:

Patient copay $4.90
Plan pays $58.65
Total paid $63.55

Loss of $7.65 before I even order the product.

I’d be better off cashing the cheap one out matching their $4.90 copay (this patient would bitch hard about the price) and losing $1.41

But why can’t the PBM @CVSHealth just cover the cheaper product to begin with?

Follow the money. Always. They get a kickback out of the more expensive product. Plain and simple. Doesn’t matter what’s cheaper for the patient or what the pharmacy can purchase it from their wholesaler.

The PBM cares only about what their profit margin will be. Nothing else matters to them.