Senate HELP Panel PBM Bill Requires Rebate Pass-Through, but not to Plan Members
Pharmacy benefit manager reform legislation co-authored by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and ranking member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) addresses the hot-button issue of rebates but not in the way biopharma manufacturers are hoping for.
It would require PBMs to remit “100% of rebates, fees, alternative discounts and other remunerations received…that are related to utilization of drugs under such health plan or health insurance coverage to the group health plan.” Biopharma companies have for years been pushing for a policy that mandates rebates be passed through, not with health plans as envisioned by the legislation, but with plan enrollees at the point-of-sale as a better way to “share the savings.”