PBM Reform is coming to Pennsylvania - PPN Episode 745 by Pharmacy Podcast Network

PolitiTalkRx Welcomes Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to the Pharmacy Podcast Network discussing PBM Reform efforts in 2019.  A Pennsylvania report examining the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the state called for more transparency in how they do business managing Medicaid prescriptions. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said he wanted action to reduce Medicaid prescription costs and called for legislation to: Allow Pennsylvania to directly manage its prescription drug benefits instead of contracting with healthcare managers to do so Increase transparency into PBM pricing practices Allow state oversight of PBM contracts Require a flat-fee pricing model so that the state pays PBMs only for services rendered In 2017, Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $2.86 billion to PBMs for Medicaid enrollees, according to the state Department of Human Services, an increase of 100% in 4 years, up from $1.41 billion in 2013. Pennsylvania Auditor General Calls for Action on PBMs https://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/pennsylvania-auditor-general-calls-for-action-on-pbms  Auditor General DePasquale Demands Increased Oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers that Impact Drug Prices https://www.paauditor.gov/press-releases/auditor-general-depasquale-demands-increased-oversight-of-pharmacy-benefit-managers-that-impact-drug-prices