From the President
By: Koby Prater, PharmD, Prater’s Pharmacy, Seneca, MO
I
t is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since my journey as president of the Missouri Pharmacy Association began at Osage Beach in August of 2023. It has been an eventful year as we have worked to address the critical issues
that are facing our profession. As my term draws to a close at the 2024 MPA Annual Convention in St. Louis at the end of August, I would like to refl ect on the challenges and successes of the past year. I can assure you that our team has considered each issue with the goal of developing solutions in the best interest of Missouri pharmacists and their patients and staff . As I began my presidency last year, the
association was already actively involved in developing the MPA legislative agenda for the 2024 Missouri Legislative Session. T e process began with feedback from a survey of MPA members. A key part of our discussions was managed by an MPA-established PBM Task Force. T is task force aimed to take the data received from MPA members and incorporate their ideas into legislation to address the burdensome provisions identifi ed in our PBM contracts. T e Task Force worked diligently, and we developed a solid bill that received approval from the MPA Legislative Committee and Board of Directors. T is bill was then presented to Senator Bernskoetter, Senator Fitzwater, and Representative Wright to be craſt ed into legislative bills for the 2024 Legislative Session. T ree bills were fi led that addressed
PBM issues: SB 843, SB 1105, and HB 1627. As we were fi nalizing the bill language
and the rest of the MPA legislative agenda last Fall, MPA was also working to develop an enhanced grassroots advocacy program that would increase our ability to move the PBM bills, as well as our entire legislative agenda, through the legislature. Other key issues identifi ed included extending the sunset on the FRA Tax (Pharmacy Provider Tax), addressing the pharmacy budget in the MO HealthNet program, implementing changes to the 340B drug program to allow more pharmacies to participate, and cleaning up the RSV drug language, among others. Given such an aggressive legislative agenda, enhanced advocacy eff orts were essential for potential success. In addition to our enhanced in-house
activities, MPA engaged with members through a series of fi ve Regional Meetings held in Cape Girardeau, Jeff erson City, Kansas City, Springfi eld, and St. Louis. Additionally, we hosted a widely attended MPA Legislative Day on April 3rd to bring pharmacists, pharmacy students, and others to Jeff erson City to support these legislative eff orts. When the gavel came down on May 17 to
end the 2024 Missouri Legislative Session, we had some successes and some legislation leſt for the 2025 session. I am happy to report that the critically important FRA (Provider Tax Program) was extended for fi ve years, SB 751 addressing the 340B drug
issue was passed (awaiting the Governor’s signature at the time this magazine is being printed), and pharmacy reimbursement in the MO HealthNet program was secured. Unfortunately, the RSV clean-up language and the crucial PBM reform legislation did not make it across the fi nish line this year. T ere were many reasons for these setbacks,
which we have outlined in numerous Action Alerts and other communications to members. T e bottom line is that we remained steadfast in following the guidance provided by MPA members on priority issues, despite a tumultuous legislative year and strong headwinds. I am proud of the work done by our Board and the MPA team. We have new battle scars, but we are even more determined about the opportunities that lie ahead in the next cycle. Speaking of headwinds, I want to thank
my family, friends, and colleagues for their support over the past year. Many know that I have been pursuing my second passion— fl ying—over the past couple of years. While making important strides in that endeavor during my presidency, I assure you that I was 100% focused on advancing MPA’s agenda over the past year. T ank you for your hard work, participation, and dedication. As I hand the gavel to Kendall in St. Louis, I am confi dent that together we have strengthened the foundations of this association and are well-positioned to achieve exciting things for our members during her term and in the coming years. Best wishes.
THE LEADING VOICE FOR THE MISSOURI PHARMACIST |
MoRx.com 5
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