NCPA Releases Statement on New Medicare DIR Fee Analyis
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has released a statement in response to the newly released U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fact sheet, “Medicare Part D- Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) Fees.” 
“As CMS explains and contrary to what Part D plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have previously asserted, DIR fees do not reduce the cost of drugs for beneficiaries at the point of sale and in fact push seniors into the ‘donut hole’ or catastrophic phase of the Part D benefit faster. This is especially true for the most vulnerable patients who use their prescription drug benefit the most. CMS also details that Part D plans and PBMs favor the use of these post point-of-sale price adjustments because it shifts more liability to the Medicare program and the federal government and away from the Part D plan and PBM.
“In addition, DIR fees have wreaked havoc on independent community pharmacies and their ability to continue serving patients. These fees, typically assessed by PBMs well after prescriptions are dispensed to patients, blow a hole in community pharmacy operating budgets that is difficult to mend,” Doug Hoey, CEO of NCPA, said in the statement.