Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7540

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Congress debates PBMs and medicare while FDA considers changes to DTC regulation
Formulary 2003; 38:(11):657-658

Abstract:

A heated battle between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and retail pharmacists has erupted in Washington as Congress weighs whether PBMs would administer the proposed Medicare pharmacy benefit. Retail pharmacists say such a program would greatly boost the use of PBM mail-order services to fill a substantial volume of prescriptionsfor the elderly, which would drive business away from local pharmacies. Regulators seek to clarify risk information requirements in direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads while encouraging comparative drug studies.