Legal News

Along with additional bills to further bolster PBM reform, the organizations are aiming to pass the PBM Reform Act for improved medication costs and community pharmacy sustainability.

After sharing his son’s tragic story, Bil Schmidtknecht discusses the common ways the Big 3 PBMs operate and how smaller organizations are on the rise, becoming unlikely competitors.

Bil Schmidtknecht joined Drug Topics to share his son’s tragic story and how it motivated him to join the greater fight in putting the lives of patients at the forefront of health care.

Senators Warner and Thune reintroduced the ECAPS legislation improving both seniors’ access to care and pharmacists’ ability to get reimbursed for clinical services.

This episode introduces the hosts and explores key legal issues facing independent pharmacies, including PBM terminations and state board compliance.

SF 383 prohibits PBMs from limiting patient choice of pharmacy, unfairly excluding pharmacies from networks, and forces them to reimburse pharmacies no less than what they pay affiliated pharmacies for the same drug.

Attorneys from The Phoenix Law Group joined Drug Topics at NCPDP 2025 to discuss the current state of pharmacy benefit manager reform and where it may end up in the near future.

Dae Lee, PharmD, Esq, CPBS and Lucas Morgan, Esq, discuss PBM and board of pharmacy enforcement actions, trends in PBM audits, and more.

Antonio Ciaccia, President of 3 Axis Advisors, led a discussion on pharmacy benefit manager reform and how the inability to pass legislation has led to increased financial hardships in community pharmacy.

A survey conducted by 3 Axis Advisors revealed potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.

Along with discount drug card company GoodRx, the suit is aimed at CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, MedImpact Healthcare Systems, and Navitus Health Solutions.

The Federal Trade Commission released its second interim staff report on industry-leading pharmacy benefit managers and their practices specifically regarding specialty drugs.

Ahead of its first general meeting in 2025, lawmakers called on the FTC to vote “yes” on releasing a second interim staff report on PBMs.

The lawsuit alleges that the company knowingly violated both the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act.

The American Pharmacists Association announced the inclusion of pharmacist-backed PBM reform in Congress’ end of the year spending package.

PBM reform legislation has progressed further in Congress than ever before.

On October 3,2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the lawsuit, which involves Eli Lilly, Express Scripts, CVS Pharmacy, and other pharmaceutical entities.

Senators Ron Wyden and Sherrod Brown wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission calling to explore yet another PBM tactic impeding competition.

In its first move since the July interim report detailing pharmacy benefit manager practices, the FTC is now suing CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx.

To further understand PBM market concentration, researchers separately analyzed commercial insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid managed care market strategies of the 3 biggest PBMs.

Pharmacists can fill a role for patients, but without technology supporting workflows and reimbursement efforts, challenges will remain.

Through Surescripts, pharmacists can cut down on back-and-forth with prescribers’ offices, saving valuable time for patient care.

Inviting members of Congress into the pharmacy helps legislators experience first hand the value that pharmacists bring to their communities.

Bipartisan support—in a polarized Congress—underscores the importance of pharmacy benefit manager reform.

The American Pharmacists Association is dedicating further time and resources to its ongoing fight for federal PBM reform.

Participants were asked to rate their level of concern on 26 health topics.

Tom DePietro, PharmD, owner of DePietro’s Pharmacy in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, discussed his experience as an independent pharmacy owner working under the thumb of pharmacy benefit managers.

Our congressional representatives have plenty of interaction with PBM lobbyists. It’s time they hear from patients as well.