State Senator Dale Fowler is celebrating the signing into law of a bill to address the influence and practices of pharmacy benefit managers -- or PBM's.
PBM's negotiate drug prices between pharmacies, wholesalers and insurers. They are now barred from charging insurers more money than what was paid for the drug, therefore cutting a profit.
The Harrisburg republican calls this a victory for the independent pharmacies that are the backbone of so many communities across Southern Illinois.
He says in 2024 alone, more than 85 independent pharmacies in Illinois were forced to close.
Fowler says HB 1697 is a critical step toward restoring fairness in the pharmacy system.
