A Community Celebration, Medicare in 2026, Stellar Staff, and More |
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Thank you to all those who attended our breakfast in September! Click here for more pictures of the event!
This year’s annual Senior PharmAssist breakfast featured a panel—with Dr. Robert Califf, Iris Musselwhite, Meri-Li Douglas, and Dementric Matthews— that sparked an important conversation about the challenges and opportunities in today’s health and prescription landscapes.
Panelists delivered messages that align with one of our taglines: know your meds, know your coverage, know your rights. Our board member and the morning MC – Dementric Matthews – asked thought-provoking questions of our panel members. They highlighted how essential it is for people to not only understand their medicines but also their health coverage. They shared that the growing complexity of Medicare is overwhelming, and at times – even misleading with some marketing materials. Dr. Califf, who twice served as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is a Duke Cardiologist, spoke about the urgent need for policies that prioritize better health outcomes at lower costs. Without change, he cautioned, the U.S. will continue to fall behind other nations in both affordability and population health. He also emphasized that community-based solutions like Senior PharmAssist (SPA) who serve as trusted messengers are vital for bridging these gaps.
The panel’s conversation was also brought to life through the powerful voices of two of our participants. Meri-Li Douglas shared how the savings she receives on her prescriptions allow her to put more fresh, healthy food on the table—improving both her diet and her well-being. She also gave a nod to simplifying Medicare coverage, stating “I don’t want to understand Medicare and my coverage; I just want it to work!” And Iris Musselwhite reflected on how rising costs once forced her into impossible choices. Fortunately, with SPA’s guidance, she has stabilized her health and that has allowed her to create her art with renewed focus.
Together, their stories paint a vivid picture of why SPA’s mission matters now more than ever. Every day, we relieve the stress of navigating complex health and social services by offering trusted, unbiased, and personalized guidance—ensuring that Durham residents have both the information and the support they need to lead healthier, more secure lives.
The breakfast has raised $21,622 to date. In addition, we announced an exciting stretch goal: to raise $47,000 from new, lapsed, and increased gifts (compared to last year) as part of a Fox Family/SPA Board of Directors challenge grant by February 14th, 2026! Please join us to keep the work going strong.
Finally, a special thanks to our sponsors: Title Sponsors: BD Technologies and NC Department of Insurance SHIIP (Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program), Healthy Aging Sponsor: Duke University Health System, and Mortal & Pestle Sponsor: Potter Financial. We also appreciate the favorable pricing from Satsuki “Sunshine" Scoville with Scoville Photography who captured the photos we are sharing.
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What’s Behind the Recent Rx Pricing Buzz |
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There’s been a lot of news about possible medication tariffs and drug manufacturers’ potential responses to help keep the tariffs at bay. While we don’t know many details yet, we want to share what we know so far. And a reminder that Senior PharmAssist is not partisan and doesn’t endorse candidates; however, we care about policies and how they impact our participants. And frankly, if you review how Medicare beneficiaries have gained access to medicines, it has improved under four administrations: George W. Bush (the creation of a drug benefit in Medicare – Part D), Barack Obama (improvements in Part D outreach and a plan for “filling in the donut hole”), Joe Biden (the Inflation Reduction Act and major expansion of consumer protections), and now Donald Trump (several recommendations under review – read on).
You can see a summary of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and what it has done to make medicines more affordable. This includes capping the annual Part D spending for Medicare beneficiaries, which will be up to $2,100 in 2026 (also see details of the standard drug benefit) and the IRA began the negotiations to bring down the prices of ten medications that will be in place this January. The cost of those select medicines that have been on the market for many years will be roughly half of what they cost this year, at least for Medicare beneficiaries. There are many other provisions in the IRA that began in 2023 and have dramatically improved access to medications for Medicare beneficiaries while saving taxpayers.
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The newer ideas that are bandied about (we don’t know details yet) are in response to the current administration’s threat of adding tariffs to medications that are not manufactured in the US. In response, several drug manufacturers have announced: more drug manufacturing in the US (not sure how this might affect pricing), upfront discounts to state-run Medicaid programs (currently there are large rebates in the Medicaid system so it not clear if this will lead to significant cost-savings), and that future medicines approved for use in the US will have prices similar to those in other similarly “developed” nations. A catch is that medicines are often available in the US to consumers years before they are approved in other countries, which would then trigger “international reference pricing.” Thus, the impact of these ideas is not yet known. There is also a potential website (TrumpRx) launched in 2026 that would host links to drug manufacturers’ websites where individuals can purchase discounted medications directly from drug companies. This would not help people using their insurance coverage but could help those with no other coverage options.
With all policies – we worry about the unintended consequences and here are a few from the IRA and the more recent proposals (not actual regulations yet): -
Medication overload – if medicines are more accessible and come from multiple sources, there are few checks on the coordination and appropriate use of those medications.
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Some of the safety net clinics and pharmacies – like Lincoln Community Health Center that rely on drug manufacturer rebates to make medicines more affordable for their patients are already seeing their discounts shrink from drug manufacturers, which puts pressure on their tight budgets.
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Several of the drug manufacturer’s patient assistance programs for medicines that will have Medicare “negotiated maximum fair prices” are curtailing their “free” assistance, which is a huge blow to those with limited incomes who have qualified for these programs in the past.
“No good deed goes unpunished” fits the situation. Often good intentions with public policy in the opaque medication development and distribution “system” may indeed be punishment for those least able to afford their medications. We will keep you posted about how newer policies might impact our Durham neighbors! |
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Medicare's Annual Election Period runs from
Oct 15 – Dec 7 |
Nationally, roughly 30% of Medicare beneficiaries review their health and/or prescription coverage during the seven-week Annual Election period. As we know so well – IT PAYS TO COMPARE; folks who don’t compare are leaving significant funding on the table! Last year, about 50% of the people we counseled needed to switch drug plans for a projected average annual savings in 2025 of $1,498 (median of $613). As important, people with Medicare Advantage plans need to ensure that they have the medical care they need from providers they want to see, with as few hassles as possible! And no wonder – there are 86 options in Durham alone. Of course, not everyone is eligible for every plan.
When reviewing the 12 stand-alone Part D drug plans available to North Carolinians next year, five raised their premiums by an average of $32 per month, and seven plan lowered their premiums by an average of $17 per month. Of course, coverage decisions should be based on more than the monthly premiums, especially if someone has a Medicare Advantage health plan with provider networks and various “pay-as-you-go” cost-sharing. Drug plans are sold by state, and Medicare Advantage plans are sold by county. We are here to put money back in the pockets of our neighbors and to support “peace of mind”!
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It's 'busy season' for Senior PharmAssist! We are already booked out a few weeks in advance, make sure to call us to schedule your appointment today! Call 919-688-4772 to reserve your Medicare appointment ASAP. |
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Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Continuing Education |
Please Join Our Executive Director, Gina Upchurch, and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy for a presentation:
Medicare and Part D: Updates on the Benefits in 2026 When: Tuesday, October 28th, 2025: 6:00pm-8:00pm The cost is $50.00 to attend. Register today! |
Year Round Services:
Medicare Counseling: ALL ages & incomes
Durham residents 60+ with Medicare:
Help managing & paying for medicines |
Call for an appointment: 919.688.4772 |
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Our Contact Information
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