Table of Contents

• Registration Open for 2024 Convention
• APCI Joins with Transparent PBM Coalition to Advocate for PBM Reform
• Legislative Affairs Releases Quarterly Update
• On the Shelf: LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaners

Registration Open for 2024 Annual Convention

Registration is now open for the 2024 APCI Annual Convention and Stockholders Meeting, March 21-24, 2024, at the Westin Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Ga.!

The 2024 convention is a special one, as APCI will celebrate the co-op's 40th anniversary in 2024! As such, our theme for the convention and the year is "Cheers to 40 Years: The Best is Yet to Come!"

As always, the 2024 edition will include informative and relevant continuing education courses, top-notch entertainment, preferred vendor promotions, and so much more!

Visit convention.apcinet.com to learn more and to register!

APCI Joins with Transparent PBM Coalition to Advocate for Reform

APCI and Transparency-Rx, a non-profit coalition of transparent pharmacy benefit manager companies, joined forces this month to press Congress for meaningful PBM reform.

Greg Reybold, APCI’s General Counsel and Director of Healthcare Policy, and members of Transparency-Rx visited with Senators and members of the House of Representatives on Nov. 13-14. During the visits, Reybold and Transparency-Rx representatives emphasized the urgency of including common-sense reforms that rein in the deceptive business practices of major PBMs as part of a year-end legislative package. One of the major points the advocates presented was de-linking PBM profits from the list price of drugs.

“APCI and Transparency-Rx are committed to working collaboratively with Congress to address pressing issues within the PBM landscape,” said APCI Greg Reybold. “We believe that these discussions will help pave the way for meaningful reforms that will benefit both pharmacies and patients while ensuring a more transparent and efficient pharmaceutical marketplace.”

“Transparency-Rx and APCI are going to Capitol Hill with a simple message: the time for talk about PBM reform is over. The time to act is now,” said Transparency-Rx Managing Director Joseph Shields. “Our collaboration with APCI underscores our shared commitment to advancing the interests of pharmacies, purchasers, and patients. Congress must act immediately to enact legislation that bolsters trust and affordability in the PBM market.”

Congress is currently considering almost 40 bills related to PBM regulation, including the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, which bans spread pricing in the commercial market, and the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act, which delinks PBM revenues from the price of drugs sold in Medicare Part D.

Launched in September 2023, Transparency-Rx offers a forward-looking policy platform that embraces many of the industry changes currently under consideration by Congress and increasingly advanced by state policymakers, including de-linking. Founding members include AffirmedRx, Liviniti, MedOne Pharmacy Benefit Solutions Rx, Navitus Health Solutions, RxPreferred Benefits and SmithRx.

Legislative Affairs Releases Quarterly Update

APCI’s Legislative Affairs team continued to be active throughout the summer, as a wave of PBM-related legislation made its way through Congress, as detailed in a new quarterly update.

“PBMs remain in the hot seat as we push into the back end of 2023,” wrote Greg Reybold, APCI’s Director of Healthcare Policy and General Counsel. “While there have certainly been distractions (think Speaker ouster and subsequent speaker votes) and time and attention necessarily spent elsewhere – such as funding for Israel and Ukraine as well as the funding of our government – PBM reform remains a priority for both chambers.”

Reybold went on to discuss four bills that have APCI’s attention for PBM reform, out of more than 40 currently being debated on Capitol Hill.

In addition to federal legislation, the update also details APCI’s written comments to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission; a new report by 3 Axis Advisors sponsored by APCI; visits to state associations and pharmacy groups; and more.

The update is available on the APCI website in the APCI News section. Members must be logged into the website to read the update.

For more information on APCI’s advocacy activities, contact the Legislative Affairs department.

LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaners

LA’s Totally Awesome has released a new line of value-priced home cleaning products. The new items include:

• LA’s Totally Awesome Daily Shower – Removes tough soap scum, hard water, and mildew stains. Is safe to use daily and after showering. Also great for use on tile floors, tile walls, and pool tiles.
• LA’s Totally Awesome Bathroom Cleaner – Removes tough soap scum and stains. Good to use on your shower, tub and sink counters. Does not contain any acid, ammonia, or bleach and is non- flammable.
• LA’s Totally Awesome All Purpose cleaner is a degreaser and spot remover for kitchen appliances, tubs, shower stalls, sinks and toilets, and trash cans.
• LA’s Totally Awesome Kitchen Cleaner is a perfect cleaner for kitchen appliances, sinks, countertops, trash cans, and more.
• LA’s Totally Awesome Wood Cleaner is perfect for cleaning wood furniture, cabinets, bookcases, and many other surfaces.

LA’s Totally Awesome provides the best most effective products at an unbeatable price. Since 1983 the company has prided itself on producing the finest surfactant chemical and household cleaning products in the market. LA’s Totally Awesome operates manufacturing and distribution centers in West Memphis, Ark., and Orange County, Calif.

LA’s Totally Awesome cleaning products are featured in the December sales circular and are available through McKesson.