Pharmaceuticals

Pharmacy benefit manager rebates and third-party revenues are killing employer’s prescription drug plans. What are the best strategies to adopt?

The online retail giant’s purchase of the drug delivery service could mean the end of pharmacy benefit managers and a major wake up call for benefit brokers, says Shandon Fowler.

The FDA issued draft guidelines Tuesday outlining possible steps patients can take to get prescription medications without seeing a doctor.

In the first 10 days of July, at least ten drugmakers and biotechnology companies have raised prices on at least 20 brand-name medicines.

With employers and employees going directly to the source for their specialty drug needs, pharmacy benefit managers and brokers will need to adapt quickly to a new healthcare landscape.

The online retail conglomerate takes another step into the healthcare market with its announcement to buy online pharmacy, surprising several industry leaders.

The transaction sets up a showdown between Amazon and pharmacy benefit managers including Express Scripts, which recently agreed to be acquired by health insurer Cigna and CVS Health.

With the updates to Medicare after the passing of the Affordable Care Act prescription drug cost is running rampant due to the inability to negotiate price and the lack of benchmarks for stability.

By continually reviewing prescription benefit policies and adapting them to current clinical information, employees are limited to their first exposure to addictive painkillers.