Policy Recommendations for Pharmacy Benefit Managers to Stem the Escalating Costs of Prescription Drugs: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians

Ann Intern Med. 2019 Dec 3;171(11):823-824. doi: 10.7326/M19-0035. Epub 2019 Nov 12.

Abstract

Recent discussions about the increasing prices of prescription drugs have focused on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), third-party intermediaries for various types of employers and government purchasers who negotiate drug prices in health plans and thus play a crucial role in determining the amount millions of Americans pay for medications. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians expands on its position paper from 2016 by offering additional recommendations to improve transparency in the PBM industry and highlighting the need for reliable, timely, and relevant information on prescription drug pricing for physicians and patients.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Cost Savings
  • Drug Costs / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Industry / economics
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / economics*
  • Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Pharmaceutical Services / economics
  • Pharmaceutical Services / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Prescription Drugs / classification
  • Prescription Drugs / economics*
  • United States

Substances

  • Prescription Drugs