Alabama is facing growing opposition to a new pharmacy reimbursement bill that would add a $10.64 fee to all prescription drug purchases.

House Bill 238 It was passed by the Alabama Home Insurance Commission earlier this week. The bill would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse in-network pharmacies for the cost of obtaining drugs, and would also add dispensing fees set by the federal government and used by programs such as Medicaid.

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Philip Rigsby (R-Huntsville), a pharmacist himself who sold his pharmacy several years ago.

Rigsby argued that the $10.64 fee is necessary for small pharmacies, especially in rural areas, to cover their costs. Opponents believe the fees will only hurt ordinary consumers.

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State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) believes opposition to the new bill will grow stronger as more people learn about the bill's details.

“I think there's more awareness and more people understanding,” Orr said Friday on Huntsville's WVNN radio. “The next few days are going to make the bill even tougher.”

The Alabama Healthcare Consumers Alliance (AAHC) also voiced opposition to the bill this week. saying It just increases the cost for people who need the medicine.

“This bill proposes an additional fee of $10.64 per prescription, which would mean an estimated additional fee of $275 per person per year and $1,100 per family,” the AAHC said. statement.

“This bill fails to address the fundamental problem of exorbitant drug prices set by drug companies,” the group added. “Alabama businesses will bear increased costs to provide prescription drug coverage and increase employee benefit costs.”

Yaffee is a contributor to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee