New York Law Journal recently consulted Marina Plotkin, Harris Beach Partner and pharmacist attorney on the firm’s Medical and Life Sciences Industry Team, for a report on new Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market Conduct regulations adopted by The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) that promote patient access to prescription drugs and protect independent pharmacies from unfair business practices.

The regulations aim to level the playing field for independent pharmacies. In the article, Marina said the regulations are welcome news by New York’s pharmacy community and have been awaited since Gov. Hochul signed into law a comprehensive regulatory structure to the otherwise unregulated PBM space in early 2022. “It’s a very positive development,” she said.

“There are many protections built in for both patients and independent pharmacies,” Marina added. “Anti-competitive practices hurt not only businesses but also patients. They hinder access to medications. They increase drug prices and limit patient choice.”

Marina has unique insight for the defense of pharmacies and pharmacists from years of experience as a supervising pharmacist. She provides audit assistance to community pharmacies audited by Pharmacy Benefit Managers, assisting with document preparation, discrepancy analysis and appeal submission.

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