Poll: Vast majority of Floridians support regulations to lower prescription drug costs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – According to new polling data, a vast majority of Floridians support regulations on pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs.

The data was released by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research.

PBMs act as the middlemen for insurance companies and pharmacies, and can drive up costs for consumers. 

According to the poll, 84% of Florida likely voters said there should be rules requiring PBMs lower drug costs for consumers. 75% would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports regulating PBMs.

More than 75% noted concern on the impacts PBMs could have on driving up prescription drug prices and holding a potential monopoly on the market.

In a press release, former state Sen. and PBM Accountability Project of Florida member John Grant said the issue of regulating PBMs “isn’t a partisan issue.”

“This is clearly something all Floridians can agree on – it is time to bring greater transparency and accountability to Florida’s healthcare system by reining in unchecked PBMs,” he said. “It’s a matter of doing what’s right. Our seniors who rely on medications for their health and lives deserve policies that will lower the costs of prescription drugs and put a stop to the predatory practices of PBMs.”

A high percentage of respondents also supported various policy proposals requiring PBMs lower costs and provide value.

Some of them included requiring insurance plans pay PBMs only a simple flat fee for services and preventing extra fees that can be passed on to patients, requiring they pass discounts to patients they get from negotiations with drug manufacturers and requiring more transparency into their drug pricing process.

The poll was conducted among 286 likely Florida voters Feb. 6-13.

“We’re encouraged to see momentum building for PBM reform from likely voters and elected leaders,” Grant said. “And we continue to gain support from other key stakeholders as we work to lower prescription drug costs for the Sunshine State.”

The accountability project was formed to support legislation aimed at protecting small businesses and patients from predatory business practices.

The group expressed their support for both SB 1550 by Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, and HB 1509 by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Petersburg Beach.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously called for legislation banning spread pricing where PBMs overcharge and protect small businesses from surprise bills and clawbacks, months after filling a prescription. 

The project specifically requests that the legislature forbid PBMs from compelling customers to use PBM-owned pharmacies and mail-order businesses.

Additionally, the project wants the Legislature to mandate that PBMs inform the state of the amount of money they spend on purchasing medications.