A proposal that could have resulted in reduced shelf space and higher generic drug prices at independent pharmacies failed to gain support at the Texas State Board of Pharmacy meeting on Monday.

Proposed new rules concerning generic substitution had been widely criticized by some pharmacists although most pharmacy associations only took the stand that the new rules were not needed under current law.

The rules would have established procedures for dispensing refills of prescriptions that have a generic equivalent available, but did not have a generic equivalent at the time the prescription was issued. It would have also established procedures for practitioners to prohibit substitution based on the manufacturer of the brand or generic product.

TrueCare lobbyist Robert Culley, who was among those representing community pharmacists at the meeting, said that under current law doctors can already prescribe certain generics by manufacturers.

Critics of the proposal said it could have resulted in less shelf space in independent pharmacies which would have been forced into carrying different varieties of generics for the same drug. They also claimed it could have caused higher generic drug prices because there would be less competition and independents would not have been able to get price discounts because of the amount of specific generics they purchased.

“TriNet continues to connect plan sponsors, providers and PBMs in a manner that encourages effective and productive relationships,” Young said. “This approach will not only help independent pharmacies across the country operate more efficiently, but will benefit the consumer by providing better access to affordable health care services.”

Some of the country’s top PBM experts will be part of a panel taking a hard hitting look at the PMB industry at the 2009 TrueCare/PBA Health Winter CE Conference in San Antonio February 18-21.

National PBM expert Dr. Bob Garis, a Creighton University pharmacy professor who has received national acclaim for his research on PBMs and the impact of mail-order pharmacies has already confirmed that he will be a member of the PBM panel at the event. Gerry Purcell, managing partner in the consulting firm Pharmacy Partners, who is known for his expertise on how PBMs reap huge profits through undisclosed pricing practices, will also be on the panel. Other experts will be announced soon.

Also planned will be an in-depth look at State and National politics post the 2008 election.

Pharmacists will get a chance to network with their peers and earn eight contact hours of cutting edge continuing education and see some of the most famous attractions in the country. The conference will be held at the Omni La Mansion del Rio in San Antonio.

Registration is $189 for a single registration and $349 for a double. The registration fee includes opening night cocktail reception and banquet and eight CE contact hours, with breakfast, lunch and refreshments provided on the day of the CE sessions.

Hotel reservations are available for $199 per night. For reservations call 1-888-444-6664. For more information on the Winter CE Conference call PBA Health at 816-245-5700 or 800-333-8097.

The narrow margin of Texas Pharmacist Chuck Hopson’s victory is another example of how one election can make a difference in independent pharmacy’s ability to get its message to the decision makers of the future. We must be ready and able to work with both political parties and with a variety of different lawmakers to ensure that our voice will be heard. Today we must decide if we want to be participants, or spectators in the legislative and regulatory arenas. Participants have a say in their destiny. Spectators watch from the sidelines and read tomorrow’s newspaper to find out what happened. We must be proactive, and not reactive.

In the past, many of you have shown a commitment to the future of pharmacy by supporting the Texas Pharmacy Survival Fund, which has been instrumental in protecting the interests of independent pharmacy. Today pharmacies continue to reap the rewards from the work of the Survival Fund as it expands its grassroots efforts to educate legislators, opinion makers and the general public on issues important to independent pharmacy. We need your help again. In January we will face another legislative session and we cannot afford to wait two months to begin getting out pharmacy’s message to new legislators and legislative leaders. There is much work to be done and pharmacy needs your help to ensure that we maintain our momentum. Our voices must be heard in Austin. Please make a contribution to the future of independent pharmacy through the Pharmacy Survival Fund. The stakes have never been so high.

Respectfully,

The TrueCare Legislative Council