APhA Policy Manual

Pharmacy Services Benefits in Health Care Reform

HEALTHCARE REFORM

Universal coverage for pharmacy service benefits that include both medications and pharmacists’ services;
Specific provisions for the access to and payment for pharmacists' patient care services;
A single set of pricing rules, eliminating class-of-trade distinctions, for medications, medication delivery systems, and other equipment so that no payer, patient, or provider is disadvantaged by cost shifting;
The right for every patient to choose their own provider of medications and pharmacists’ services and for all pharmacists to participate in the health plans of their choice under equally applied terms and conditions;
Quality assurance mechanisms to improve and substantiate the effectiveness of medications and health services;
Information and administrative systems designed to enhance patient care, eliminate needless bureaucracy, and provide patients and providers price and quality information needed to make informed patient-care decisions;
Relief from antitrust laws, regulations, and policies to enable pharmacists to establish systems that balance provider needs relative to corporate and governmental interests;
Reform in the professional liability system, including caps on non-economic damages, attorneys’ fees, and other measures;
Representation on the controlling board of each plan by an active health care practitioner from each discipline within the scope of the plan; and
Recognition of the pharmacist’s role in delivering primary health care services.