The Federal Trade Commission is moving ahead with a comprehensive study into potentially anti-competitive practices by US pharmacy benefit managers by sending them compulsory orders seeking detailed information on rebate-driven formulary practices, their dealings with pharmacies and how they interact with affiliates, among other topics. The decision could be welcomed by the pharmaceutical industry, which has long tried to convince policymakers that PBMs are significant contributors to high drug prices.
FTC Launches ‘Colonoscopy’ Into PBM Practices, Including Focus On Consumer Costs, Access
Study will examine how the six largest pharmacy benefit managers in the US handle 10 disease categories. Federal Trade Commissioners unanimously support inquiry after its scope was broadened from an earlier version that drew objections from Republicans.

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Pharmaceutical companies are being encouraged to reach out to NICE in relation to its HTA Innovation Lab, which provides a sandbox environment in which the health technology assessment body can test new methods of evaluating “innovative and disruptive” therapies.
Experts say PBMs should become familiar with transparency rules and prepare to release data, although more legal wrangling could occur.
Optum Rx, one of the largest PBMs in the US, declared it was the “first comprehensive, transparent pharmacy services company” after announcing several consumer-friendly changes.