The Alliance of Alabama Healthcare Consumers announced its opposition to Senate Bill 93 and Senate Bill 99, citing concerns that both measures would impose an additional $10.64 dispensing fee on every prescription filled in the state. According to AAHC, the new fee would result in an estimated annual increase of $900 per person or $3,600 per family in prescription costs.
AAHC Executive Director Robin Stone issued a statement condemning the proposed legislation, arguing that the measures would exacerbate, rather than alleviate, the financial burden of prescription drug costs on Alabama families and businesses.
“Imposing a permanent fee on every prescription filled in Alabama is not a solution to the problem of rising drug costs; the new $10.64 dispensing fee designated for pharmacy owners is a costly burden that will ultimately create more problems for consumers and employers,” said Stone.
He added that the proposed legislation does nothing to address the root cause of high drug prices.
“Families and employers need help to reduce their prescription drug costs; new fees will add more costs. Both bills fail to address the exorbitant drug prices set by drug manufacturers. This approach ignores the real driving source of rising healthcare costs skyrocketing drug prices from national manufacturers,” Stone stated.
Stone further warned that the financial strain caused by the fee would fall on consumers, employers, and families, rather than the Pharmacy Benefits Managers, PBMs, targeted by the bills.
“If this new proposed $10.64 dispensing fee for pharmacy owners is approved, it will be forced down the supply chain and will be paid by employers, families, and other consumers, and not Pharmacy Benefits Managers. These proposals will cost Alabamians at least an extra $900 per person or $3,600 for a family each year,” Stone concluded.
The AAHC, a 501(c)(4) coalition, represents businesses, public-sector entities, and non-profits advocating for affordable and accessible healthcare in Alabama. The organization said it remains committed to fighting against policies that raise healthcare costs and negatively impact employer-provided benefits.
