TxRx flash

Dec. 7, 2009

Texas Pharmacy Business Council is an organization of American Pharmacies and the Academy of Independent Pharmacists-Texas.


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Texas 81st legislative session success list
   Regulation of Rx discount cards

PBM transparency in state contracts
 
Mail order parity

Tell state elected officials TRS must allow public comment on PBM contract

Despite calls for the Teacher Retirement System to delay awarding a PBM contract for TRS retirees, the agency plans to announce its choice within the next few days.

Your TPBC sent a letter two weeks ago to TRS Executive Director Ronnie Jung outlining CVS/Caremark's dubious record of fraud settlements and a Federal Trade Commission investigation. Mr. Jung's response indicates he does not agree with our concerns and is planning to move full steam ahead.

Today we sent a letter to the incoming TRS Board of Trustees chairman noting he will be rubber-stamping a major contract that could have serious negative consequences for retirees, taxpayers, and the independent community pharmacists who serve their retirees.

Now we need you to call your state representative and senator to ask them to call TRS and insist on a 30- to 60-day delay in awarding the contract to allow time for public comment and for the new members on the board of trustees to fully review and understand the proposed contract.

Click here to find out who your state elected officials are and how to reach them.

Among the issues TRS should consider before awarding this contract are:
  • The proposed contract does not give TRS the right to hire the auditor of its choice if CVS Caremark inserts language found in other contracts.
  • CVS/Caremark's history with the Texas Employees Retirement System and others around the country show it will take steps to restrict pharmacy choice.
  • Beneficiaries should be allowed to express their opinions.
  • Texas pharmacists who do not work for the mega-company's pharmacy, CVS, should be allowed to relate problems encountered with CVS/Caremark.
  • The Texas Attorney General says Caremark "knowingly, fraudulently and/or otherwise unlawfully evaded and frustrated" attempts by the state of Texas to recover $83 million in Medicaid payments "through multiple unlawful acts." This is not a company that has earned the respect and confidence the TRS contract grants CVS/Caremark.
  • CVS/Caremark is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.
  • This record of fraud charges suggests there may be significant risks for TRS in doing business with CVS Caremark. In fact, several public entities around the country have recently decided to stop using CVS Caremark, including most recently the state of New Jersey and New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Please report the outcome of your calls.

Stay tuned!
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