DES MOINES, Iowa — With just one more work week in the Iowa legislative session, advocates in the state’s pharmaceutical industry are calling for lawmakers to pass a bill to reform the system.

“That’s repeatedly happening with multiple prescriptions and especially you look at some of the more expensive name brands. It’s not unusual to lose $50 to $100 on that prescription, so that pharmacist has to make an ethical decision, all the time,” said Randy McDonough, owner of Towncrest Pharmacies. “How do I keep my doors open?”

The Iowa Pharmacy Association is advocating for pharmacy benefit manager reform, with 31 pharmacies in the state closing over the last year. 250 pharmacies closed over the last decade. Both bills wait in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate chambers with one week left to go in the session.

“The bill would set an average rate for every prescription that’s dispensed that covers the cost to keep their doors open. That would keep access for patients to choose pharmacies in their communities,” said Kate Gainer, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Iowa Pharmacy Association.

Both McDonough and Gainer discussed the legislation on Today in Iowa Sunday. The first portion of the interview is attached above, with the second right below.