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Kreyol Passion Launches Brand and Announces Kickstarter Campaign

Kreyol Passion

We can all agree on one thing, we all love food! Food is universal to everyone, no matter the race or culture. Today, Kreyol Passion launched its brand along with a Kickstarter campaign. Kreyol Passion is built around a human centric approach to fit everyday life styles, enhancing and educating the palate with fresh ingredients and flavors, providing healthy solutions for every cuisine. KP Marinade is the first product roll-out under the Kreyol Passion brand. With only 15 calories per serving KP is used to marinate meats and seafood, grilling, air frying, stir-fry, cooking stews, soups, rice and as a condiment for a variety of foods. No matter the continent or cuisine KP enhances the flavor of food, alleviates the guesswork out of cooking and cuts prep time by 90 percent. Jacques Absolu aims to provide solutions with each idea he brings into the atmosphere and Kreyol Passion is no different. Awaken your Senses & Activate your taste buds! Become Part of our Story! ABOUT THE FOUNDER Kreyol Passion is a Food Distribution Company that is a subsidiary under GGSUCCESS LLC; founded by Jacques Absolu a young Haitian American, tech savvy entrepreneur who has many notable ventures; GGSUCCESS LLC a holding company that focuses on cutting-edge developments in Technology, Finance and Real Estate. Contact Details Kreyol Passion Danielle Lampron +1 561-335-8223 info@kreyolpassion.com Company Website https://kreyolpassion.com/

May 17, 2021 08:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Airports, Take Notice: 84% of Travelers Want Bio-Security Measures to Protect Against Current & Future Pandemics

WarpUV

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 17, 2021 –– Ever stop to think how many hands touch your luggage from the time you leave home, arrive at the airport, and then reach your travel destination? Curious to know how many virus particles fit on a single pinhead? Are you in the habit of disinfecting your luggage after a trip? According to a Post-COVID-19 Air Travel/Bio-Security survey conducted last week, all respondents said they believe their baggage has passed through a lot of hands – 10 or more. Of those, 17 percent believe more than 20 hands have handled their luggage, whether while using a ride service, the baggage handlers at the airport, or hotel personnel. It's no wonder, then, that when COVID-19 hit, consumers were reluctant to travel. More than 55 percent of the consumers who completed the survey, in fact, said they did not travel by air last year because they feared either contracting the virus or potentially spreading it to others. This, and the actions taken by the airline industry as a result of COVID-19, created a huge blow to air travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the pandemic resulted in a 66 percent drop in air travel last year. That’s more than after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, and the global financial crisis of 2008. As people around the globe are being vaccinated against the Coronavirus and with more awareness about the devastating effects of virus spread, it’s not surprising that more than 84 percent of respondents said they agree with officials at the world’s leading agencies – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Council of European Unions – that another pandemic is inevitable, and it is critical to be prepared. As with x-ray and other measures taken at airports following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, those same respondents agree airports should take bio-security measures to minimize the health and economic impact of future virus spread. Specifically, when asked if they’d feel safer and more likely to travel by air if luggage would be completely and quickly disinfected using ultraviolet (UV) technology at the airport, 78 percent said yes. For some respondents, the COVID-19 crisis is waning because many have received vaccinations against Coronavirus. Still, only 16 percent said they felt additional bio-security measures are unnecessary. “The COVID-19 virus has inflicted devastating health and economic impact on the world, but the call for bio-security at airports is a practical solution that can lessen or even stop the rapid spread of future contagions,” said Amir Fischer, CEO of WarpUV. “Studies show the most effective way to disinfect items like checked luggage and carry-on bags – many of which are soft-sided or have many handles, zippers and uneven surfaces – is with 360-degree ultraviolet (UV) light bio cleansing. The technology exists, it’s proven fast and effective, and is ready to be implemented.” Some additional data from the WarpUV/SurveyMonkey consumer survey include: When asked whether they realized that 100 million virus particles of COVID-19 could fit on the head of a pin, 62 percent said they had not previously heard that fact. 58 percent of respondents said they have never disinfected their own luggage during or after use. Of those, 28 percent said, in light of the virus spread, they will now start doing so. During the height of the pandemic, the ability to travel by air around the world was heavily curtailed due to flight cancellations, as well as airport closures because baggage handlers or passengers had contracted COVID-19. Just last week, Changi Airport in Si ngapore closed due to a report of COVID-19 cases. Although cases of COVID-19 contracted at airports were widely reported, 55 percent of respondents queried in the survey were unaware of this fact. About WarpUV Warp Technologies and its AirFortÂ® devices are the frontline of prevention of the spread of pandemic by luggage and baggage in airports worldwide and serve as a âdisinfection firewallâ for continents, countries, and regions. The company was formed in 2020 by veteran Israeli entrepreneurs Amir Fischer, Eitan Haimovich, and Gil Luxenbourg. For more information, visit www.warpUV.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Joanne Stanway +1 978-273-1473 jstanway@rainierco.com Rainier Communications Alan Ryan +15085776635 alanryan@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.warpuv.com/

May 17, 2021 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Centre for Neuro Skills Promotes Dr. Matthew Ashley to Chief Medical Officer

Centre for Neuro Skills

Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a premier provider of traumatic and acquired brain injury rehabilitation services, today announced the promotion of Dr. Matthew Ashley to Chief Medical Officer, overseeing all CNS medical staff. Dr. Ashley will be moving from CNS headquarters in Bakersfield to the new CNS clinic in Austin, Texas, in June. The 17,000 square ft. facility will serve as many as 60 patients and is located at 14425 Falconhead Blvd. "We are thrilled to announce this milestone promotion for Dr. Ashley, who is transitioning to a corporate leadership position overseeing medical departments across all CNS locations,” said David Harrington, President and COO of Centre for Neuro Skills. “His vision and strategic administration will provide uniformity of care across all seven CNS locations. He will continue to work closely with various partners, providers, payers and customers.” During Dr. Ashley’s seven-year tenure at CNS, he has served as a consulting neurologist. He treats a diverse spectrum of patients recovering from traumatic and acquired brain injury. An accomplished speaker, Dr. Ashley lectures at universities and seminars focusing on stroke, epilepsy, dementia, neuroradiology and brain injury rehabilitation. Dr. Ashley received both his medical and juris doctor degrees from Southern Illinois University. He completed a neurology residency at UCLA, as well as a neurological rehabilitation fellowship at the university’s renowned Neurological Rehabilitation and Research Unit. The new Austin location will be CNS’ fourth clinic in Texas, joining others in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. CNS also has three California clinics in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Bakersfield. All CNS clinics offer rehabilitation therapies through inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, residential rehabilitation and telehealth technology. "I look forward to my family’s move to Austin, getting to know our new community and my expanded role leading all medical teams across Centre of Neuro Skills’ clinics,” said Dr. Ashley. “The dedication to our patients combined with our continuum of care approach is more critical now than ever - to help those who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries, strokes and, more recently, Long-Haul COVID.” Facts about Brain Injury and Long-Haul COVID The Centre of Neuro Skills provides rehabilitation therapy to traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and Long-Haul COVID patients. These affect millions of Americans each year. Traumatic Brain Injury According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the US. Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI. These injuries result in: 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive 50,000 people die 80,000 to 90,000 people experience the onset of long-term disability As the cumulative result of past traumatic brain injuries, an estimated 5.3 million men, women and children are living with a permanent TBI-related disability in the US today. Stroke According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke each year. Someone in the US has a stroke every 40 seconds Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability Stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and over Strokes can occur at any age - in 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old Land-Haul COVID In a recent University of Washington study, 30% of Long-Haul COVID research participants reported worse health and quality of life, compared to how they felt before their infection. Additionally, 8% said they weren’t able to carry out daily chores. This included not being able to lift heavy objects or stand or walk unassisted for more than a short period of time. The proportion of participants reporting lingering symptoms increased with age. They affected about 27% of those 18 to 36 years old, 30% of those 37 to 64 and 43% of those 65 and older. About Centre for Neuro Skills Centre for Neuro Skills is an experienced and respected world leader in providing intensive rehabilitation and medical programs for those recovering from all types of brain injury. CNS covers a full spectrum of advanced care from residential and assisted living to outpatient/day treatment. Founded by Dr. Mark Ashley in 1980, CNS has seven locations in California and Texas. For more information about Center for Neuro Skills, visit: https://www.neuroskills.com/, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. For a video overview of CNS, visit: https://youtu.be/Jwqve9gWtEw Media please note: Visual assets, including photos, are available. To request an interview with Dr. Matthew Ashley, please contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or CNS@landispr.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 CNS@landispr.com Company Website https://www.neuroskills.com/

May 14, 2021 09:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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New Report by Gennev Shows Gaps in Support for Women’s Health and Why It’s Time to Rethink Menopause

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/BClIM0LIYr0 Every woman will go through menopause—that’s an estimated 1.3 million women in the U.S. alone who enter menopause every year, yet the topic of menopause is still taboo. Women feel confused about what’s normal, uncomfortable talking about it, and unprepared to manage “the change.” With conversations around fertility becoming more open, menopause still feels like a secret, and that leads to misinformation and a significant reduction in quality of life for too many women. To demystify menopause Gennev created the first-of-its kind Menopause NOW Report with 120,000 women who shared information about their lives and health over the past year. The report offers unparalleled insight into how women are experiencing menopause, with findings that show: 70% of women reported putting off preventative health appointments in the past year because of the pandemic 49% reported using telehealth for menopause care 92% reported more stress on top of menopause-related anxiety in the past year Founded and led by women, Gennev is a Seattle-based digital health platform that offers holistic and comprehensive support for women in all stages of menopause. They offer women a virtual clinic with OBGYNs and health coaches on staff, in addition to educational services, community, and wellness products. The results of this year's Menopause NOW report demonstrate women’s need for more comprehensive support from specialized doctors, health coaches, and their fellow women – services all provided by Gennev. Take your personal menopause assessment at www.gennev.com, join the #IAmTheChange movement, and become part of the largest menopause community online. Watch Gennev’s video of women sharing their stories, then add your own voice. Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwThI2V25mc&feature=youtu.be About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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4th ANNUAL LEADERS IN LIFE SCIENCES BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLE BRINGS KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS TOGETHER

LevLane

The 4 th Annual Leaders in Life Sciences breakfast roundtable will take place at 7:00AM – 9:00AM EST on May 18, 2021, hosted by LevLane, Boston Healthcare Associates, and Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. Select healthcare business leaders will participate in a two-hour virtual roundtable discussion moderated by Stephen K. Klasko, M.D., M.B.A., President and CEO, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. Topics will include insights to driving innovation, stakeholder perspectives, investment opportunities, and challenges relating to the future of digital healthcare. The goal of the roundtable is to have an interactive session where panelists can share meaningful insights and learnings with each other. Following the meeting, the discussion’s key insights, learnings, and implications will be summarized and shared with industry entities, as well as other key insight communications. “This event has been successful in years past and we’re excited for this year’s discussion given historic structural changes in healthcare delivery that we have observed over the last 15 months. It’s more important than ever to stay connected, for us as industry leaders and for policymakers, providers and consumers,” said Thomas Goss, PharmD, Senior Vice President, Boston Healthcare Associates. Edward Allera, Shareholder, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC, agrees. “It’s beneficial for so many to produce meaningful collaborations when it comes to institutions, services, products, innovations and research. I’m happy to help create a platform to make this possible,” said Allera. Panelists will include: Amy Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D., Former Principal Deputy Commissioner & Acting CIO, FDA Tom Cassels, M.P.P, President, Rock Health Quinn Dufurrena, DDS, JD, Chief Dental Officer of United Concordia Dental Mark Haig Khachaturian, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Wellvii Allison Oelschlaeger, BSFS, Director & Chief Data Officer, CMS Christopher T. Olivia, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Samantha (Mandy) J. Pulliam, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Renovia, Inc. Wendy Sanhai, Ph.D., M.B.A., Specialist Leader, Deloitte Consulting, FDA Richard Schwabacher, Senior Vice President of Digital Health and Chief Digital Officer, BioReference Laboratories, Inc. Michael Sherman, MD, M.B.A., Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan “There’s so much talent and many bright minds in the life sciences industry. It’s crucial to bring this group together and give them the opportunity to share knowledge and introduce insights to their peers on a regular basis,“ said Timmy Garde, Chief Innovation Leader, LevLane. Attendance to the 4 th Annual Leaders in Life Sciences Breakfast Roundtable is limited. Please register at: LeadersInLifeSciences051821.com. Key insights will be released following the roundtable discussion. About Leaders in Life Sciences Leaders in Life Sciences is a partnership of LevLane, Boston Healthcare, and Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC. The group was formed to bring together thought leaders in the Life Science space to provide insights and solutions to the biggest challenges facing the industry. To learn more about Leaders in Life Sciences contact Timmy Garde at tgarde@levlane.com, Edward Allera at edward.allera@bipc.com, or Thomas Goss at tgoss@bostonhealthcare.com. Contact Details Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 14, 2021 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SOCIETY OF UROLOGIC ONCOLOGY SHARES NEW PATIENT & CAREGIVER RESOURCES TO MARK BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Society of Urologic Oncology

The Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) is sharing several new valuable resources for patients suffering from malignant genitourinary diseases like bladder cancer, and their caregivers. This release of a guidebook, documentary video, and public service announcements coincide with the designation of May as Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. The materials, made possible by funding support from Bristol Myers Squibb, feature Major League Baseball star pitcher and broadcaster, Jim Kaat. The resources offer information, help, comfort, and hope to those seeking more information about their health, and options following a diagnosis. “Nearly 68,000 people in the United States are impacted by bladder cancer every year, making it one of the most common cancers. It is also one of the deadliest cancers that will claim close to 18,000 lives in the US this year alone,” explained Dr. Michael Cookson, the President of the Society of Urologic Oncology. “Too often our patients learn about this disease upon diagnosis despite the warning signs. The resources we are sharing help patients and their caregivers navigate the best path forward for treatment and better health.” The SUO’s Guide to Advanced Bladder Cancer for Patients and Caregivers includes a 40-page guidebook and a companion (15-minute) documentary-style video. The guidebook is designed to help the reader better understand advanced bladder cancer, how it can be treated, and resources available to help improve health and well-being. Dr. Seth Lerner, a SUO physician, Chair of its Education Committee, and leader in the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network stated, “These tools provide the information our patients, and the people who care for them need fight this disease. There are so many questions that come up along the way, and these resources will help them improve their lives in the exam room and at home too.” The video features SUO President Dr. Michael Cookson, Chair, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center & The Stephenson Cancer Center; and Dr. Sima Porten, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco. Also featured - speaking from the caregiver perspective - is Major League Baseball star pitcher and broadcaster Jim Kaat, who tells the moving story of his late wife’s battle with bladder cancer. “Patients and their loved ones need to understand they are not alone,” stated Dr. Sima Porten, a SUO physician and member of its Education Committee. “Having information about the disease, how it is treated, and what can be expected can provide peace of mind to those in the fight. Learning from others and sharing experiences is valuable to the physical and mental health of patients.” Additionally, public service announcements are being distributed to further promote the availability of these important resources. The thirty-second and one-minute versions of the PSA are available here: https://suonet.org/resources/patients.aspx “Receiving a diagnosis of advanced bladder cancer can be scary and overwhelming. Although it might seem impossible to sift through all the new information you are faced with, SUO physicians are committed to helping our patients though treatment and trustworthy resources like this guidebook and video,” Dr. Cookson continued. The materials were produced by Conrad & Associates, an organization committed to improving health literacy by bringing together medical professionals and organizations, celebrities, and pharma to create patient education programs on current health topics. In addition to resources for patients, the materials also offer guidance for caregivers – including the personal perspective from Jim Kaat who explains, “When you’re caring for a loved one, sometimes you neglect taking care of yourself. It’s very important for the caregiver to also take care of themselves.” ### The Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) was founded in 1984 for the purpose of bringing together healthcare professionals to discuss, develop, and implement ideas to improve care for people with malignant genitourinary diseases like bladder cancer. The SUO hosts and sponsors programs designed to provide specific expertise in urologic oncology. The SUO’s research initiatives involve clinical trials through the SUO Clinical Trials Consortium. The SUO’s primary objectives are to: Encourage research and teaching in urologic oncology Bring awareness of urologic oncology to the larger medical profession Invite urologists into a society whose work is focused in malignant disease Be the most qualified organization on matters of urologic oncology Create standards for professional training in urologic oncology Please visit https://suonet.org/home.aspx For more information or to schedule an interview with a SUO spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com Contact Details kglobal Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://suoctc.org/about.aspx

May 13, 2021 02:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LOOMIS Delivers a Dozen Awards for Texas Oncology Ad Campaign

LOOMIS

The LOOMIS Agency delivered big for client Texas Oncology, taking home 12 awards at the 38 th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards show, including the Gold Award for “Total Advertising Campaign.” The agency won five Gold, one Silver, four Bronze and two Merit awards for its “Right Here” campaign. “We are so pleased with the recognition,” said Steven Paulson, M.D, president and chairman of Texas Oncology. “The ‘Right Here’ campaign has been very well received by all of our stakeholders because it does a wonderful job communicating our important difference as a provider of oncology treatment and care.” Texas Oncology’s 500+ physicians deliver leading-edge cancer care at its 210 locations in communities across the state, so patients don’t have to travel far from home to receive the expert treatment they need. “That’s a big difference for Texas Oncology patients and it’s the basis of our campaign,” said LOOMIS account director Christina McKinney. “With Texas Oncology, patients don’t have to disrupt their lives to get the care they need,” McKinney said. “They can stay at home surrounded by the love and support of family and friends.” The campaign launched January 1, 2021 and is running statewide across all major media channels, including television, digital display and video, print, outdoor, search and social. There were more than 4,400 entries for this year’s Annual Healthcare Ad Awards, making it the largest healthcare advertising awards competition and placing it among the top 10 advertising awards shows in the country. About LOOMIS: LOOMIS is a full-service advertising agency in Dallas specializing in defining and leveraging strategic advantages for national and regional challenger brands. The agency was founded in 1984 by Paul Loomis, a composer and musician who earned a national reputation for brand-image music development. The agency was expanded in 1998 to meet growing client demand. Today, LOOMIS offers clients a unique blend of advertising and music production. Learn more at theloomisagency.com. About Texas Oncology: Texas Oncology is an independent private practice with more than 500 physicians and 210 locations across the state. Meeting the oncology needs of Texans for more than 35 years, the practice includes Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Texas Breast Specialists, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists, and Texas Center for Interventional Surgery. As a lead participant in US Oncology Research, Texas Oncology played a role in the development of more than 90 FDA-approved therapies, about one-third of all cancer therapies approved to date. For more information, visit TexasOncology.com. Contact Details LOOMIS Lauren Law +1 214-912-1543 lauren.law@theloomisagency.com Company Website https://theloomisagency.com

May 13, 2021 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LevLane Announces Multiple Promotions and Role Changes

LevLane

LevLane, a full-service, award-winning ad agency, now in its 37th year, has announced multiple promotions as the agency continues to see strong growth. “We are so proud of this team. Over the past year we have experienced challenges we never anticipated and despite that our team has continued to deliver,” said Josh Lev, SVP | Brand Engagement of LevLane. “As we emerge from one of the most difficult times in memory, we are excited to look to the future and the team who will help to get us there.” Web Development Megan Hegarty has been promoted to Vice President, Digital Services. Senior Living Beth Simos has been promoted to Vice President, Director of Client Engagement. Creative Taylor Irwin has been promoted to Associate Creative Director. Steven Graziano has been promoted to Senior Art Director. Joe Schoppy has been promoted to Senior Copywriter. Digital Media Ed Stec has been promoted to Vice President, Paid Search Director. Sarita Shinde has been promoted to Digital Analytics Manager. Life Sciences MaryPat Siwak has been promoted to Account Director. Gina Gattis has been promoted to Account Supervisor. Samantha Spurrier has been promoted to Account Executive. Content & Digital Strategy Gabrielle Costello has been promoted to Director of Content. Michele Burns has moved into the role of Content Project Manager. Tyler Heileman has moved into the role of Digital Content Writer. Emily Glorioso has moved into the role of Social Media Specialist. About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands that people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 13, 2021 07:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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MISSOURI GOP LEGISLATOR URGED BY PHYSICIAN & PATIENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO ABANDON PLAN TO THWART PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER ACCOUNTABILITY

Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions

Today the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) released a letter sent on behalf of its membership to Eric Burlison, a Missouri State Senator requesting he abandon a plan to allow the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry continue its abusive practices and jeopardize patients. Following up on information that Senator Burlison is planning to filibuster legislation including HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403 this week, concerns in the medical and patient advocacy community are growing – and many are voicing major concerns. “If successful, Senator Burlison’s filibuster will eliminate accountability on the PBM industry and place upward pressure on prescription drug pricing,” stated Dr. Robert Levin, ATAP President. “For far too long, PBMs generated significant profits while patients struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. It is time that elected officials and policymakers see what is really happening in our exam rooms and our patient’s wallets due to PBM interference.” ATAP has been an active advocate for patients in a variety of federal and state battles to amplify the voices of patients and physicians. The letter to Senator Burlison states, in part: “…the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system… Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices…” “A light is finally shining on the previously hidden profit motives of the PBM industry. Patients, physicians, and policymakers in Missouri have the power to effect meaningful change if Senator Burlison allows this legislation to be considered fairly,” Dr. Levin continued. “More transparency is desperately needed in the PBM industry, and this legislation provides it. It is truly a mystery why any elected official would prevent such accountability and stand in the way of fair drug prices and patient access to care.” The full letter to Senator Burlison is below and posted here. The Honorable Eric Burlison 201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 221 Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 RE:MO HB 834 and SB 403 – Pharmacy Benefit Managers Reporting/Transparency Dear Senator Burlison: We are saddened and dismayed to learn of your recent stance regarding Missouri HB 834. We are painfully aware of a planned filibuster to MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. As you may be aware, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third-party entities that are hired by insurers and health plan sponsors to manage and administer prescription drug benefit plans. We are very concerned about the role PBMs play regarding the alarming price increases in the total cost and out of pocket costs of prescription drugs for patients, resulting in the loss of patient access to affordable and life-saving medications. HB 834 will help remedy many of these practices by: Ensuring oversight of PBMs by the Dir. of the MO Dept of Commerce and Insurance; Allowing for penalties for violations of this statute; Providing for reporting of rebates received by PBMs, including – where the rebates are being applied, and reporting of yearly aggregated rebate dollar amounts received; and Providing for freedom of choice for patients to choose their pharmacy As you may know, the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system. Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices. We ask that you help ensure that our patients and your constituents have affordable access to the medications which they so desperately need, by supporting MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. Sincerely, The Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) Member Organization ### ATAP continues to support efforts to force the PBM industry to disclose rebate data and encourage transparency and reporting requirements for all entities involved in the prescription drug supply chain – PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers. To schedule an interview with Dr. Levin or another ATAP spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357. Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com ATAP's mission is to address prescription drugs costs and patient access to affordable treatment by regulating PBM practices and reforming the drug industry through educational outreach and grassroots advocacy initiatives at both the state and federal level. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.atapadvocates.com

May 12, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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