Cambria Co., State Rep., Introduces Bill To Safeguard Pharmacies

Pennsylvania State Rep. Frank Burns of Cambria County has introduced House Bill 2431, the Independent Pharmacy Protection Act, aimed at preventing third-party administrators from restricting which pharmacies can fill Medicaid prescriptions.  Prompted by Express Scripts Inc.’s termination of  Johnstown based Martella’s Pharmacy from its network, the legislation guarantees that any licensed pharmacy in good standing can fill taxpayer-funded prescriptions.  After contacting Governor Josh Shapiro to request a formal review, Burns introduced the bill and urged Attorney General David Sunday to investigate Express Scripts for potential conflicts of interest and antitrust violations.