39 Attorneys General Sue PBM's

somarco

GA Medicare Expert
5000 Post Club
38,136
Atlanta
A coalition of 39 state attorneys general called on Congress to pass legislation prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers and parent companies from owning or operating pharmacies.

In an April 14 letter, the attorneys general said such ownership practices distort competition, drive up prices and limit consumer access to affordable prescriptions.

On April 16, Arkansas became the first state to enact a ban on PBMs owning pharmacies. It will take effect Jan. 1.

"For far too long, drug middlemen called PBMs have taken advantage of lax regulations to abuse customers, inflate drug prices, and cut off access to critical medications. Not anymore,


 
So does this mean if a MAPD/PDP carrier owns a PBM and its own mail order pharmacy, one or the other will have to go? As an example, Humana has heavily invested in the expansion of their own PBM - Humana Pharmacy Solutions - and aggressively promotes their mail order pharmacy - Centerwell - to members. If they have to abandon either, they're going to lose a major revenue stream.
 
Back
Top