Prescription drugs represent a significant expenditure for many Californians. And as costs continue to rise, it is our state legislators’ duty to protect patient access to essential medications. I commend state lawmakers for passing SB 966, a landmark bill that would have strengthened oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), or the third-party middlemen that negotiate patient drug prices. But as a rheumatologist, I’m extremely disappointed by Governor Newsom’s decision to veto this legislation that would have made prescription medications more affordable for patients statewide.
PBMs drive up prescription drug prices through dubious practices, making it more difficult for patients to access the treatments they need. By negotiating deals with drug manufacturers, PBMs decide which medicines they will cover in exchange for special rebates and discounts. This ultimately harms patient access, and the rebates are not reflected in savings for patients; instead, they go directly into PBMs’ pocketbooks.
The increased cost of prescription drugs driven by these opaque negotiations is especially detrimental to the rheumatology patients I treat, who often require several medications to manage their chronic conditions – costing some patients thousands of dollars every month and forcing others to ration medications or forego treatment altogether.
Patients and providers widely supported SB 966. More importantly, SB 966 enjoyed bipartisan support from lawmakers. I call on all our state lawmakers, including the Governor, to establish PBM oversight and ensure patients can affordably access the medications they need.
Howard Yang, MD is the President of Southern California Rheumatology Society and a practicing rheumatologist in Santa Monica.
