In Virginia, many patients arrive at the pharmacy counter to pick up   their prescriptions only to be faced with high out-of-pocket costs. For patients with chronic disorders, these innovative treatments can make all the difference in their ability to lead healthy, productive lives. And yet, they can remain out of reach because the patient cannot afford these high costs. Patients are also kept in the dark about why their prescriptions cost so much at the counter.

In Virginia, many patients arrive at the pharmacy counter to pick up   their prescriptions only to be faced with high out-of-pocket costs. For patients with chronic disorders, these innovative treatments can make all the difference in their ability to lead healthy, productive lives. And yet, they can remain out of reach because the patient cannot afford these high costs. Patients are also kept in the dark about why their prescriptions cost so much at the counter.

When Virginians pick up their medications from the pharmacy, they should be able to easily understand the factors that go into the price they pay – like what rebates are negotiated and how these savings affect cost. There should be greater transparency surrounding the layers of middlemen like PBM’s and Insurers who profit while patients pay higher and higher costs. Greater transparency will lead to lower out-of-pocket costs and relief at the pharmacy counter.

Virginians need solutions that actually impact what they pay at the pharmacy counter, such as commonsense plans to cap out-of-pocket costs for patients on the medications they need. Currently, there is a proposal in the General Assembly to cap what patients pay out-of-pocket for insulin. Expanding this legislation to other medicines would be a huge benefit to patients across the commonwealth.