Senate Approves Medicare “Lock-In ” Provision
- By BSTQ Staff
In March, the U.S. Senate approved the Medicare “lock-in” provision that gives Medicare Part D plans the authority to require at-risk beneficiaries to use a single prescriber and pharmacy for frequently abused drugs. The provision, sponsored by Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), is an amendment to a larger prescription drug abuse bill called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that, among other efforts, aims to curb the opioid abuse epidemic through enhanced grant programs. “As the pharmacy community is well aware, prescription drug abuse and dependency have been on the rise in America for several years,” said American Pharmacist Association (APhA) Executive Vice President and CEO Thomas E. Menigham, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA. “This epidemic is a major issue for our nation due to the devastating impact it has had on individuals, families and communities. We have made this a central theme for APhA 2016. As we inform and educate pharmacy professionals, they will be able to help their communities.” While the amendment has passed, the Senate still has to vote on the broader comprehensive bill.
