News Briefs: FTC Ratchets Up Regulatory Pressure on PBMs, Targeting Rebate Practices and Insulin
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ratcheted up regulatory pressure on PBMs once again, announcing that it will apply more scrutiny to PBMs’ rebating practices, particularly regarding insulin. The move follows the agency’s announcement earlier this month that it would investigate PBM business practices and consolidation. In an official policy statement, the agency wrote that “some have suggested that high rebates and fees to PBMs and other intermediaries may incentivize higher list prices for insulin” and that “rebate and fee agreements may incentivize PBMs and other intermediaries to steer patients to higher-cost drugs over less expensive alternatives.” Actions the agency said it would pursue include cracking down on exclusionary rebates and intensifying scrutiny of formulary design.
Meet Our Reporters
-
Lauren Flynn Kelly Executive Editor, AIS Health, and Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage
View Lauren Flynn Kelly's Profile -
Angela Maas Managing Editor, Radar on Specialty Pharmacy and Spotlight on Market Access
View Angela Maas's Profile -
Leslie Small Managing Editor, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Leslie Small's Profile -
Peter Johnson Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Peter Johnson's Profile -
Tim Casey Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Tim Casey's Profile -
Carina Belles Reporter, Radar on Medicare Advantage and Spotlight on Market Access
View Carina Belles's Profile -
Jinghong Chen Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Jinghong Chen's Profile
