Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

As a pharmacist for over four decades, I am focused on increasing the accessibility, affordability, and quality of health care – for all patients.

I was the one who watched the senior citizens trying to decide whether they were going to buy medicine or buy groceries. I was the one who watched a mother cry because she couldn't afford the medication for her child. I was the one who watched all this happen, and I knew behind the curtain that the pharmacy benefit managers are the root cause of high prescription drug costs and inaccessible health care.

So, it’s no surprise that when I got to Washington, my top priority became fighting for lower prescription drug costs and a health care system that puts patients before profits.

I couldn’t do anything then, but now I can.

Before I dive into the policy, I want to take a moment to address the true reason why health care policy matters – patients. Patients like Jessica, who has been battling Crohn's Disease for over 15 years, for which there is no known cure. Constant battles with insurance companies have taken a toll on her mental health. The stress has "worsened [her] condition" and makes it harder for her to focus on the one thing that matters: her health. Even as a nurse, Jessica says she "still feels lost in this process."

While tragic, this story is far from unique. So, how did we get here?

PBMs are the pharmaceutical supply chain’s hidden middlemen that are driving up costs for prescription medications, delaying access to necessary treatments, adding hoops for patients to jump through, and robbing hope from patients. They have only created perverse incentives throughout the drug supply chain.

Their extensive market control has only grown due to consolidation and vertical integration, leading to less competition and decreased patient choice. After nearly two decades of consolidation, the PBM industry is now dominated by three companies that control over 80% of the market. They own or are owned by insurers that have consolidated their businesses to own doctors, pharmacies, group purchasing organizations, and even a bank!

We have heard directly from our constituents that the harmful and anticompetitive tactics of some PBMs have only gotten worse, and that Congressional action is desperately needed.

That is why this week, I introduced the bipartisan PBM Reform Act, which protects patients and pharmacies from harmful and anticompetitive PBM business practices.

This package, which you can read more about here, adds transparency, competition, and accountability to this system, ensuring that patients – not profits – are put first.

We have real momentum in Congress behind this issue right now, and I am excited to get this done on behalf of patients. President Trump is also committed to holding PBMs accountable, and I look forward to working with this administration to drive solutions that lower costs for patients at the drug counter.

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the tragedy of the Texas flash floods. Thank you to each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers.

FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITOL CDXCXXIV

Monday, July 7, 2025: I traveled back to Washington yesterday morning in order to have a live interview in the studios of Fox News, where we discussed The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the tragedy in Texas at the summer camp that my granddaughters were attending, and where their cousin perished. Later in the afternoon, I had virtual interviews with 11 Alive and WSB-TV in Atlanta and WJCL in Savannah to discuss the tragedy in Texas. I also had a phone interview with the Savannah Morning News (SMN) to discuss the tragedy. This morning, I’m up early and live on Newsmax as we discuss the tragedy in Texas before heading off Capitol Hill, where I film some ads for our office. Afterwards, I head to the studios of Fox News where I’m live on Faulkner Focus to discuss the Texas tragedy. Once back in our office, I meet with the Executive Vice President & North America President of Coca Cola, Jennifer Mann, and her team to discuss the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement before meeting with my good friend Rick Desai and students from his area who are visiting the Capitol. After praying with my good friend, Joe Fowler, with Common Thread Ministries, I have a virtual interview with WTOC-TV to discuss the Texas tragedy, and then head to the airport for my flight to Atlanta. Once in Atlanta, I head to Conyers in Rockdale County, where I speak to the Rockdale GOP at their monthly meeting.

Rep. Carter meets with Coca-Cola

Tuesday, July 8, 2025: I’m up early and have a virtual interview with Fox 5 News in Atlanta to discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of drugs used for ultra rare diseases such as Barth Syndrome. Afterwards, I have a radio interview with my good friend, Martha Zoller, before having a conference call with my communications team. Next, I am live on CNN as we discuss the Texas tragedy, and then live on Fox Business for the same subject matter. After our all-staff conference call, I head home to St. Simons and, during the drive, I have a radio interview on Fox News Radio to discuss the Texas tragedy. Later during the drive, I stop in Metter at my good friend Dean Stone’s Pharmacy, and we have a Tele-town hall call where we are able to share with thousands of constituents what’s going on in Washington and take their questions and comments.

Rep. Carter live on Fox Business

Wednesday, July 9, 2025: I’m in our Brunswick district office bright and early this morning as I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before virtually joining Bank of America’s 26th Annual Washington Healthcare Policy Conference where I bring them up to date on healthcare reforms that are part of the OBBBA and other healthcare priorities in Congress. Afterwards, I head to Darien in McIntosh County, where I participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for TI Cold & Permacold Logistics. Specializing in the design and construction of cold storage facilities and warehouses, TI Cold is a great addition to the growing industrial development area of McIntosh County. After the groundbreaking, I head to Oaks on the River in Darien, where we have a meet and greet for TI Cold leadership and the McIntosh Industrial Authority, before heading to the McIntosh County Sheriff’s office, where I meet with my good friend, Sheriff T.K. King. Next, I head to Woodbine in Camden County, where I stop at the County Administration building and pre-tape an interview with Dr. Phil regarding the Texas tragedy before heading to Folkston in Charlton County, where I meet with my good friend, Sheriff Robert Phillips, and members of his staff. Afterwards, I have a call with my good friend, Brantly County Sheriff Len Davis, before heading to Amelia Island, where I join members of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) at their annual conference before heading back home to St. Simons Island.

Rep. Carter participates in TI Cold & Permacold Logistics Groundbreaking

Thursday, July 10, 2025: I’m up early again this morning and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as we discuss the OBBBA and the tragedy in Texas. Afterwards, I head to Hinesville in Liberty County, where I meet with a group of Veterans who are part of the Home Instead program, where they get home care services they need to stay safe in their homes and enhance their quality of life. Next, I head to our Savannah District office and during the drive have a phone call with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to discuss legislation. Sen. Blackburn is a good friend who served in the House with us and was a member of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) committee. Once in Savannah, I meet with the Savannah Navy League as they provide me with an update of their legislative priorities. Next, I head to midtown Savannah to meet with Jeff Mingledorff, who is in the HVAC business and whose grandfather served as Mayor of Savannah during the 1950’s. I love hearing Jeff’s father, Bud, tell stories of his time as Mayor. Once back in our Savannah office, I join in on my monthly call with Mark Sobol, our office consultant, before joining in on a virtual call with Westwin, a nickel refinery looking to locate in our area. After a meeting with a constituent to discuss a variety of subjects, including gun rights for felons, I head to the airport.

Rep. Carter meets with Hinesville Veterans

Friday, July 11, 2025: I wake up in Nashville, TN, this morning as I am attending McKesson Corporation's annual conference. McKesson is a diversified healthcare services leader and is a leading pharmaceutical and medical supply distributor. After an early morning meeting with the Government Relations team of Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC), I head to a meeting with the board of directors of U Save Pharmacies. IPC is a member-owned and operated cooperative, focused on helping independent pharmacies succeed, while U Save Pharmacies is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains. Later, I have a taped interview with Drug Topics to discuss pending pharmacy legislation before joining in on a call with my Chief of Staff and District Director. Next, I visit the booth of IPC in the massive exhibit hall at the trade show and later join Pharmacy Podcast Nation for a recorded interview. Afterwards, I am honored to be the keynote speaker at the IPC annual meeting and later to address the Association of Affiliated Pharmacies and Apothecaries (AAPA) and bring them up to date on federal legislation.

Rep. Carter meets with U Save Pharmacies

did you know?

The classic Coca-Cola beverage was accidentally invented by John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta, Georgia. It was originally sold in drugstores as a headache remedy, but it quickly gained popularity. The secret formula was purchased by Asa Griggs Candler, and he grew the company into an international phenomenon. Today, Coca-Cola’s headquarters are still located in Atlanta and the company remains one of the world’s largest beverage corporations.