Speakers Report House of Delegates

In a few months, FPA’s 133rd Annual Meeting and Convention will take place July 5, 2023 – July 9, 2023 at the beautiful JW Marriott Marco Island.

Members, Local Unit Associations, and FPA House of Delegate members will gather to meet, learn, discuss, and advocate for the profession of pharmacy. I encourage all members to attend and be a part of the most important Florida pharmacy meeting of the year.

The House of Delegates will convene to discuss new business, and review submitted resolutions. Any member and/or local unit association should submit their resolution to the FPA offices as soon as possible.

I would like to recognize the members of the House of Delegate Board of Directors.

Chair of the House Board – Eric Larson

Speaker – Alexander Pytlarz

Vice Speaker – Josh Pullo

Director – Darcy Vaugh (term ends 2023)

Session Has Started!

Claudia

Davant, Adams

Street Advocates

Director – Dustin Williams (term ends 2024)

Director – Neil Barnett (term ends 2024)

In Florida, elected officials are predominantly Republican. The Cabinet, which includes the Governor, the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General, and the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture are all held by Republicans. In the Legislature both the House of Representatives and the Senate hold a Republican supermajority. This Republican supermajority in both chambers makes it challenging to pass legislation that could be seen as new or increased regulation over the private sector.

Prior to the House of Delegates meeting, please plan to attend and participate in the Annual Business meeting. FPA CEO Helen Sairany will be presenting to the membership new and exciting details about the future of the FPA.

Member Spotlight

It is shaping up to be one of the best FPA Meetings yet. I hope to see you in Marco! Thank you for allowing me to serve as your 2022-2023 House of Delegates Speaker.

It is an honor.

So our advocacy over the last few years has focused on educating legislators that the free market Republican philosophy does not apply to the PBM industry. When over 80% of the healthcare insurance market is controlled by only three companies, all 3 of whom are in the Fortune 15, there is no competition.

We have used FPA’s voice to share your stories with the Governor and legislators on the detrimental effects that the PBM industry using their monopoly-like leverage has had on your business, your families, and your ability to serve patients. And now we have been heard!

In July, 2022, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order regarding PBM reform initiatives and then expanded in a press conference in January 2023 his mission to reign in PBMs. The Legislature has also lasered in on real reform by adopting the Governor’s perspective and emphasizing in bills filed in the House and Senate that the anti-competitive, anti-patient behavior must stop in Florida.

HB 1509 sponsored by Representative Chaney and SB 1550 sponsored by Senator Brodeur would level the playing field for Florida-based community and independent pharmacies. These bills prohibit many of the practices PBMs use to discriminate against non- affiliated pharmacies and require rebates and access to the benefit of patients. PBM common business practices like clawbacks, steering patients to affiliated pharmacies, spread pricing, and mail-order pharmacy requirements would be prohibited! PBMs would no longer be allowed to remove a covered drug during the plan year. Language would also require 100% of rebates be distributed back to the health care plans to lower premiums and offset copays.

Please contact your legislators and demand they stand up to the PBM monopoly and support HB 1509 and SB 1550! Call the Governor’s office and commend him for putting Floridians before corporate profits! Get engaged with FPA and let your voice be heard!