A trade group representing community pharmacies is fighting vigorously to change proposed new Medicaid regulations which could cut back reimbursement substantially for generic drugs. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) contends that CMS hasn't done enough research on the consequences of the new drug reimbursement regulations, and is hoping to force the agency to reconsider. The rules, which take effect in January, would slash payments to independent pharmacies for generics an average of 36 percent, according to one Government Accountability Office study. NCPA says that such a cut could cause many small pharmacies to close.
To find out more about the new rules:
- read this Healthcare Finance News piece [1]
Related Article:
Wal-Mart cuts generic drug prices. Report [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/story.cms?id=7400&page=2
[2] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/wal-mart-cuts-generic-drug-prices/2006-09-22