A new federal executive order aimed at reducing prescription drug prices has sparked cautious optimism — and some concern — among Georgia’s independent pharmacists and healthcare advocates.
Announced last week by the White House, the order promises aggressive action to ensure Americans pay the same or lower prices for prescription drugs than patients in other developed countries. Under the directive, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be required to negotiate with drug manufacturers to provide a “most-favored-nation price” for U.S. consumers.
The goal: end what the order calls an “abuse of Americans’ generosity,” where U.S. patients often pay three times more for the same medications available abroad.
Industry Support with Reservations
While consumer advocates and nonprofit dispensaries have welcomed the effort, many retail pharmacists and pharmacy organizations in Georgia are treading carefully.
“That is the big question — how will these price cuts actually reach the patient at the counter?” said Kiah Williams, co-founder of Sirum and Good Pill Pharmacy, two Georgia-based programs that help distribute surplus medications to patients in need.
Williams said drug pricing in the U.S. is notoriously opaque, with costs influenced at multiple levels — from manufacturers and insurers to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), a group that has long been accused of inflating prices.
“A lot of companies have a say before someone is charged at the pharmacy counter,” she added.
Georgia Pharmacy Association Responds
In a written statement, the Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA) said it is reviewing the policy closely. The organization, which represents over 1,400 pharmacists, hospital staff, and academic professionals, called attention to the outsized role of PBMs in shaping final drug prices.
“It cannot be too soon to address the PBM situation,” wrote GPhA Board Chair Ben Ross. “We want patients to have access to affordable medicine — and pharmacies to be able to serve their communities and remain viable businesses.”
The statement also noted concerns over whether the federal order would fully trickle down into out-of-pocket savings, especially given the layered nature of U.S. healthcare billing.
The Local Landscape: Programs Like Good Pill
In Georgia, smaller programs like Good Pill Pharmacy already provide discounted medication through the state’s Donated Drug Repository system, which collects surplus, unexpired medications and redistributes them.
But even these nonprofit models rely on a patchwork of donation laws, storage regulations, and insurance eligibility — issues that aren’t fully addressed by the new federal plan.
“Until there is transparency at every level, these efforts won’t be enough,” said Williams. “We need more than price targets — we need systemic accountability.”
Timeline and Next Steps
Under the executive order, HHS has 30 days to begin communicating target prices to drug companies. The timeline for implementation remains uncertain, and no penalties for non-compliance have been outlined yet.
The policy aligns with broader national efforts to curb the influence of PBMs, increase drug pricing transparency, and expand access to affordable treatment — all key issues in Georgia’s healthcare system.
Still, as of now, most Georgia pharmacists appear to be in a wait-and-see mode, hopeful for reform but wary of federal promises that fail to deliver clarity at the local level.
A Tall Order in a Complex System
Despite bipartisan support for lowering drug prices, experts agree that the real challenge lies in execution — especially in a system where pricing varies dramatically based on insurance coverage, co-pays, and negotiation structures.
“When we say lower prices — who are we really talking about?” asked Williams. “Is it the uninsured? Those with high deductibles? Seniors on Medicare? That distinction matters.”
As Georgia continues to wrestle with rural access issues, pharmacy closures, and Medicaid expansion debates, drug affordability remains a top concern for patients and providers alike.
