pharmacy benefit managers News

Trump Plan to Curb Drug Prices Targets Rebates to Pharmacy Benefit Managers

The Trump administration proposed ending a complex system of drug rebates that influence tens of billions of dollars in U.S. pharmaceutical spending, a move that could upend the relationship between drugmakers and pharmacy benefits middlemen. The proposal, a long-awaited part …

Icahn Warns Cigna Shareholders to Vote Against ‘Overpriced’ Express Scripts Deal

Activist investor Carl Icahn said shareholders in Cigna Corp. should vote against the $54 billion takeover of pharmacy-benefits firm Express Scripts Holding Co. because the health insurer is “dramatically overpaying.” “Cigna management is offering to pay an all-time high price …

Cigna Confident About Express Scripts Deal, Despite Icahn Opposition

Cigna Corp. said on Thursday it was confident of winning shareholder approval for its $52 billion Express Scripts buyout, a day after reports that investor Carl Icahn had picked up a stake in the insurer and was planning to vote …

Investor Icahn to Oppose Cigna-Express Deal, Fearing Amazon Threat: Sources

Activist investor Carl Icahn has built a sizable stake in Cigna Corp. and plans to oppose the health insurer’s $54 billion takeover of pharmacy-benefits firm Express Scripts Holding Co., according to people familiar with the matter. Chief among Icahn’s concerns …

Co-Pay Tactic by Benefit Managers Credited with Cutting Prescription Drug Prices

A recently adopted tactic by U.S. health plans to limit the financial assistance drugmakers provide directly to consumers for prescription medicines is taking a toll on drug prices, according to a new analysis released on Tuesday. Real U.S. drug prices, …

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Regulation Bill Passed in Arkansas

The Arkansas House and Senate have passed a proposal to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, as lawmakers began a special session focused primarily on addressing a cut in reimbursements rates pharmacists have seen. SB2, the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefit Licensure Act, would …

How Insurer and Benefit Manager Mergers Squeeze Out Smaller Pharmacies

Over 20 years, Brian Komoto built a thriving pharmacy in California’s Central Valley. Each day, his nurses would travel the vast agricultural region’s roads to help hepatitis C patients take a grueling regimen of shots. Then, in 2016, 20 percent …

Arkansas Governor Says Special Session on Pharmacy Rates Possible

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he’ll call a special legislative session to address reimbursement rates for pharmacies and to amend the state’s open container law if there is consensus among lawmakers on the proposals. Legislative leaders have asked for a …

What CVS-Aetna Deal Could Mean for Pharmacy Benefit Managers

If Aetna Inc. is eventually swallowed by CVS Health Corp., an important part of the health-care business will be changed — perhaps for good. For years, pharmacy benefits were largely carved out from the rest of a medical coverage plan. …

Workers’ Compensation Spending on Drugs Falls 8.7%: Study

An analysis of pharmacy cost data shows there was an 8.7 percent drop in spending on drugs in 2015 in workers’ compensation injury cases. The decline in 2015 is consistent with the overall downward drug cost trend seen over the …