Prime-Express Scripts Merger Looks Unlikely Despite New Deal
Prime Therapeutics, the PBM jointly owned by 18 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, recently entered an agreement with Cigna Corp.-owned PBM Express Scripts to offer Blues plans the option of using Express Scripts’ mail order and specialty pharmacy services. Though experts say a merger of the two PBMs is unlikely, the deal deepens the trend of integration and consolidation across the PBM space and between the two firms, which have shared some joint operations since the end of 2019.
Kyle Skiermont, Pharm.D., Prime’s senior vice president for specialty pharmacy and home delivery, tells AIS Health that the deal’s purpose is to offer Blues plans a choice between Prime’s specialty and mail order pharmacy operations and Express Scripts’ specialty branch, Accredo. Prime has an existing mail order and specialty joint venture with Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., called AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.
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