On September 3, 2009
Pharmacy Benefit Managers Face Double Threat
Do WellPoint and Aetna know something about healthcare reform that others don’t? WellPoint sold its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) division recently to Express Scripts, and Aetna has put its PBM on the block, with Medco reported to be the leading bidder. Meanwhile, one of the reform bills would require PBMs to reveal how much they’re getting back from pharmaceutical companies on particular drugs. If they spill their competitive secrets, the Wall Street Journal speculates, they might not be able to continue raking in billions by obtaining drug rebates on behalf of their employer and health plan clients. In that case, it will be said that WellPoint and Aetna made some very prescient moves. Another sign of the times: Caterpillar has…
0 Comments