Posted by Michael Wonder on 21 Nov 2018
The Health 202: Express Scripts takes on rebates in plan it says will lower drug prices
19 November 2018 - As public anger increases over skyrocketing prescription drug prices, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers announced a plan it says will help lower patients' out-of-pocket costs.
It also aims to move away from the practice of rebates criticised for helping to push up the price of prescription drugs.
The Trump administration has criticised the practice of rebates -- reimbursements paid by drug makers to pharmacy benefit managers and insurers -- with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar suggesting ending the rebate system entirely.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has said the “system of rebates between payers and manufacturers” drives up drug costs. And when he announced his drug pricing blueprint in May, President Trump decried the “dishonest double-dealing that allows the middleman to pocket rebates and discounts that should be passed on to consumers and patients."
