Independent US drugstore lobby wants sweeping Antitrust exemptions to charge higher prescription drug prices

The independent drugstore lobby in the USA is again seeking special antitrust exemptions (HR 1188) that would empower independent drugstores to charge consumers, employers, unions, and government agencies higher prescription drug prices, says the USA’s Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA).

A recent US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that nearly 80% of independent drugstores already hire powerful Pharmacy Service Administrative Organizations (PSAOs) to negotiate their contract terms, negating any need for sweeping changes to antitrust laws.

"Prescription drug prices for employers, unions, government agencies, and consumers will skyrocket if competing independent drugstores are given a license to collude," said PCMA president and chief executive Mark Merritt, adding: "Prospects for this bill won't be helped by the GAO's recent finding that independent drugstores already hire large and powerful PSAOs to collectively bargain for higher payments."