Madison, WI – On Friday, Governor Evers signed into law two bills championed by Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk). The first will put parameters in place for Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Wisconsin. The second will allow the sale of cocktails with carry-out food orders. Both bills had overwhelming bi-partisan support and will benefit Wisconsinites and businesses in northern and rural Wisconsin.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are businesses that administer and manage prescription drug benefits. Because of the contracts they negotiate with manufacturers, health plans, and pharmacies, PBMs play a crucial role in the prescription drug supply chain, including influencing pricing and drug selection. Despite this role, some PBM practices actually make it more difficult for patients to get the medications they need at a reasonable price, and inflict undue harm on pharmacies, which in turn also negatively affects patients.
“Across the state, but especially in a rural district like mine, independent pharmacies are crucial for access to health care. This law will go a long way in helping these pharmacies stay in business and continue to serve our communities and our constituents. It will also put necessary parameters in place that ultimately best serve the patient.”
Cocktails-To-Go will allow bars and restaurants the ability to sell cocktails in tamper-evident sealed containers with their carry-out orders – similar to our current practice with growlers of beer. The bills maintains current law concerning open alcohol and drunk-driving standards.
“Our hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing shutdown, and we’re really feeling it in rural Wisconsin. Cocktails-To-Go is another tool in the toolbox to help our local bars and restaurants weather this storm.”
Pharmacy Benefit Managers will be signed into law as 2021 Act 9 and Cocktails-to-Go will be signed as 2021 Act 21.
