Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
PBMs Have Been Feeling The Heat Lately When It Comes To High Drug Costs. So What Will This Week's Hearing Look Like?
Stat: Lawmakers Will Grill Five Pharmacy 'Middlemen' — Some More Than Others
President Trump has blasted them as “middlemen,” known for their “dishonest double dealing.” Key Democrats decry the industry as a “black box” under a “veil of secrecy.” Pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists and doctors incessantly pummel them, in ads and in testimony, as the key culprits behind the nation’s rising drug prices. Now, the “middlemen” — pharmacy benefit managers, entities that aim to help insurance companies negotiate lower drug prices by managing formularies and extracting rebates — will have an unprecedentedly high-profile chance to defend themselves. (Florko, 4/8)
In other pharmaceutical news —
Modern Healthcare: CMS Offers Transition For Part D Plans For Safe Harbor Rule
The CMS will offer a two-year transition for Medicare Part D plans under the administration's proposal to eliminate safe harbor protections for pharmacy benefit managers. CMS Administrator Seema Verma made the announcement in a Friday bulletin. The guidance comes as Part D insurers warn they may hike premiums when the proposed rule is finalized. The administration set Jan. 1 of next year as its target date for implementation and the comment period ends Monday. (Luthi, 4/5)
