Add Oregon to the list of states that have enacted laws during their 2017 legislative sessions that codify further oversight over Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their business practices. Oregon initially passed legislation in 2013 that required PBMs to register with the Oregon Department of Consumer Services (DCBS). The registration requirements and fee were minimal, [...]
Little more than a year ago, the complex relationship between pharmaceutical giant Valeant and Philidor Rx Services, a Pennsylvania-based mail-order pharmacy, first drew the attention of government investigators and the press. Now, two former executives—once from each company—have been charged by federal prosecutors with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy. On November 17, 2016, ex-Valeant [...]
October 31, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and two U.S. Attorney's offices have officially entered the national discussion on drug pricing and the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) with the initiation of investigatory proceedings against Express Scripts. In a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Express Scripts disclosed that it has received [...]
October 13, 2016 — As recently reported in the Wall Street Journal ("Drugmakers Point Finger at Middlemen for Rising Drug Prices"), prescription drug manufacturers are increasingly laying the blame for skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices on the so-called "middlemen" in the drug distribution life-cycle. Pharmaceutical executives, from Mylan CEO Heather Bresch to Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read, are [...]
