According to State Representative Ryan Spain, “too many families are stretched thin by high prescription costs.”
Representative Spain was Chief Co-Sponsor and helped pass the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Public Act 104-027), a new law that puts patients first and reins in pharmacy benefit managers. It holds Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) accountable by addressing their predatory practices, delivering lower drug costs for Illinois families and protecting local pharmacies.
“Through the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, we have helped stabilize our community pharmacies, provide critical access to rural and low-income communities, and empower consumers with tools to receive direct benefits through pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates and discounts,” said Rep. Spain
Through grant funds generated by fees on pharmacy benefit managers (the companies responsible for steering patients toward their own affiliated pharmacies to boost profits), Representative Spain supported grant funding to local pharmacies to help them compete and protect rural access to healthcare. Rural Access Pharmacies receiving a share of state grant dollars, serving consumers living in the nine counties in the 73rd District:
Sheffield Telepharmacy- Sheffield (Bureau County)
Vorac Pharmacy- Geneseo (Henry County)
Walgreen Drug Store- Geneseo (Henry County)
Axline Pharmacy- Lacon (Marshall County)
Princeville Pharmacy- Princeville (Peoria County)
Toulon Telepharmacy- Toulon (Stark County)
Erie Telepharmacy- Erie (Whiteside County)
Fitzgerald Pharmacy- Morrison (Whiteside County)
Hartig Drug- Prophetstown (Whiteside County)
Walgreen Drug Store- Rock Falls (Whiteside County)
More than $25 million has been awarded to assist 434 pharmacies most at risk of closure or financial strain, especially those serving rural and low-income communities with limited healthcare access. Each pharmacy received a grant award of $56,892 to assist them in serving rural and low-income communities. Rep. Spain proudly serves the people of the 73rd District.
The Local Impact of Springfield Policy Decisions
Thank you to Dr. Nathan Vorac, of Geneseo, and other area independent pharmacists, for sharing the local impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Act. Dr. Vorac traveled to Springfield to advocate for this policy to help serve his customers in Henry County.
