States target pharmacy benefit managers with new laws to lower prescription drug costs

Summary

States across the U.S. are passing laws to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — middlemen that manage prescription drug coverage for health insurers — in an effort to lower medication costs for consumers. At least a dozen states enacted legislation this year limiting PBM compensation and setting minimum payments. CVS Health Corp., which operates a major PBM and also owns retail pharmacies, has spent millions fighting these regulations and filed a federal lawsuit arguing a new Tennessee law could force it to close all 136 of its pharmacies there by July 2028. The issue is politically charged ahead of midterm elections, with affordability remaining a key voter concern.

Source

bskyStates target pharmacy benefit managers with new laws to lower prescription drug costsapnews.com