Pharmacists in Alabama, along with leaders in the pharmacy sector, are expressing uncertainty about the potential effectiveness of a new executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Signed on May 12, this order aims to reduce drug costs for American consumers by using a 30-day manufacturer price as a benchmark.

The executive action known as “Providing prescription drug pricing in the most preferred countries for American patients” seeks to bridge the significant gap between U.S. drug prices and those in other developed nations. Given that the U.S. is a major purchaser of medications, the argument is that Americans should benefit from the best available prices.

Local pharmacists have pointed out noteworthy disparities in drug pricing between the U.S. and countries like Australia.

However, Bobby Giles, Alabama’s Pharmacy Director of Government Affairs, highlighted a crucial point: local pharmacies don’t typically buy medications straight from manufacturers. Instead, they acquire drugs through wholesalers and follow pricing structures set by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs).

Experts suggest that unless these intermediaries are included in the new pricing standards, lower manufacturer costs might not translate to consumer savings. Some pharmacists worry that the existing drug supply chain could undermine the intended benefits of reforms applied only at the manufacturing level.

Another significant concern revolves around the directive’s limited scope. Currently, it only impacts Medicare Part B, which covers drugs given in clinical environments, such as during chemotherapy or emergency treatment. Medicare Part D, covering many local pharmacy prescriptions, is not included in this order. Pharmacists hope future policies will also address Part D, leading to more direct benefits for patients.

On a positive note, the Alabama Pharmacy Association and local pharmacy owners are supportive of the administration’s initiatives to address the increasing costs of prescriptions. Yet, they remain cautious about the practical implications. Uncertainties persist regarding implementation, insurance company responses, and whether actual savings will reach consumers.

Pharmacy experts in the state are eager to see how this initiative develops but are cautiously optimistic that it might lead to meaningful changes in the ongoing challenges surrounding healthcare affordability in America.