PBMs blame pharmacies for high patient drug costs

Severe drug shortages impose heavy costs on hospital pharmacies: senate bill might help … or not.

the list of drugs in short supply, perhaps because they are more likely to be subject to discontinuations resulting from violations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cited by the FDA. Halted production often results in plant closures. In 2010, manufacturing problems forced Hospira to recall AstraZeneca’s propofol (Diprivan). “Some of my colleagues were close to shutting down operating rooms,...

The Adverse Consequences of Mandating Reimbursement of Pharmacies Based on Their Invoiced Drug Acquisition Costs

New u.s. Drug tracing regimen stirs concern: pharmacies will have options ... And costs.

The FDA is trying to decide how to implement a new law by January 1, 2015, that requires manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies to trace drug products as they move through the distribution chain. A degree of turmoil appears likely to result.

Unprecedented opportunities for managed care organizations and community pharmacies to work together.

■■ Unprecedented Opportunities for Managed Care Organizations and Community Pharmacies to Work Together Over the years, a considerable amount of discontent and distrust has been expressed between community pharmacies and managed care organizations (MCOs), especially between community pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). In fact, one can deduce from the pharmacy press that the discon...

The ABCs of PBMs.