Big News for Our Local Pharmacies: PBM Reform Passes the Legislature!

We have some incredible news to share with our business community! We recently highlighted the immense pressure our local independent pharmacies are facing. We are thrilled to report a major victory for our hometown healthcare providers and small business owners.

PBM Reform has officially passed the Kansas Legislature with an overwhelming landslide win!

Thanks to the tireless advocacy of pharmacists, technicians, students, and community members—including those of you who reached out to your representatives—this critical legislation is moving forward.

The Vote Count:

The support for this reform was truly bipartisan and decisive:

• House Vote: 104-17

• Senate Vote: 32-8

  
  

Why This Matters for Our Community

For too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have operated as "middlemen" with little oversight, often using practices like "spread pricing" that squeeze the margins of our local pharmacies and drive up costs for patients.

This bill is a huge step toward:

• Lowering drug costs for hardworking Kansans.

• Protecting patient access by ensuring our local pharmacies can afford to keep their doors open.

• Increasing transparency by reining in the "middleman" abuses that have plagued the industry.

  
  

What’s Next?

The bill is now headed to Governor Laura Kelly’s desk for her signature. This is the final checkbox to turn this hard-fought reform into law.

We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone in our Chamber family who spoke up. Your voices were heard in Topeka, and you have made a tangible difference in protecting the heartbeat of our local economy.

Stay tuned for more updates as our local pharmacies cross the finish line! You can also stay up-to-date by following our valued Chamber Member, AuBurn Pharmacy, on Facebook for direct announcements.

Source: Kansas Pharmacists Association