Dear Editor:

Thank you for your report on the move in the Mississippi Senate to ensure that local pharmacies should not be squeezed out of the market because of actions by middlemen in the processing of insurance payments for prescriptions.

The Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act, according to Legiscan, “define(s the) requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy services administrative organizations” to ensure that small pharmacies receive prompt and fair payments for providing medications.

The issue here is primarily to give legal backing to the intentions of the proposal. Also important, however, is that by ensuring that independent pharmacies can operate on a level playing field, consumers should have continued choice in the pharmacy marketplace. It will also allow small towns and their pharmacy small businesses to continue to enhance the unique character of the individual towns throughout the state.

To encourage passage of this Act, Vicksburg citizens concerned about the parlous state of our local pharmacies should contact Sen. Briggs Hopson for his support at:  bhopson@senate.ms.gov . 

Sincerely, 

Bernadette Cahill

Vicksburg, MS.