National Association of Chain Drug Stores

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have long plagued the nation’s health care space, driving up costs for Americans by inflating drug prices and eroding patient choice. Aiming to compel transparency, hold PBMs accountable, and promote free market competition, Sachs Media worked with a coalition led by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) to bring these predatory practices to light in Florida, Texas, and Ohio. We launched a communications plan for a multifaceted Patients First campaign in each state, creating landing pages; producing key social, digital, and print collateral; conducting detailed survey research; drafting and placing multiple thought leadership pieces; and securing critical coalition partnerships for the campaign. Within five months, the multistate Patients First campaigns generated dozens of positive media outcomes. The Florida campaign was a tremendous success, culminating in unanimous passage of the nation’s most significant PBM reform legislation, which was signed into law the next day by the governor. The campaign’s successes in other states included working to stop shortsighted legislation in Texas and securing a significant increase in prescription drug reimbursement rates in Ohio.