Urgent Call for Reform: How Pharmacy Benefit Managers Contribute to Prescription Unaffordability and What States Are Doing About It
In the United States, the escalating cost of prescription drugs is forcing many to sacrifice essential medications, despite systems in place meant to safeguard affordable access. A crucial player in this scenario is the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), whose role in the healthcare system is pivotal yet fraught with critical issues that need immediate address. PBMs, operating primarily as intermediaries between drug manufacturers and healthcare plans, dictate the availability and price of medications through formularies they control. They negotiate deals with drugmakers and manage pharmacy benefits for various employers and government-initiated health plans like Medicare … Read more