Express Scripts Report Touts 4.8% Drop in YoY Spending
In its annual drug spending report, PBM giant Express Scripts said it kept total pharmacy spending in line with the consumer price index while reducing year-over-year (YoY) spending by 4.8% for its most tightly managed plans. While one consultant said there’s no way to verify such claims without a full review of Express Scripts’ methodology, he conceded that the PBM’s management techniques are probably due some credit.
The Cigna Corp. subsidiary said total member plan spending on prescription drugs rose by 2.3% last year. In addition, 37% of Express Scripts’ commercial plan clients spent less on drugs year over year in 2019. Express Scripts attributes those reductions in spending to the company’s “clinical solutions,” which it claims “saved patients and plans nearly $50 billion.”
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