Express Scripts Dispute With Walgreens Spotlights PBMs’ Thirst For Deeper Discounts

The contracting dispute between the drug chain and PBM may also presage tougher negotiations ahead for biopharmaceutical companies, particularly if Express Scripts is successful in its bid to acquire rival PBM Medco.

The network contracting struggle between Walgreens and Express Scripts highlights the pharmacy benefit manager’s aggressive pursuit of deeper discounts from retailers and may also presage tougher negotiations ahead between the PBM and biopharmaceutical companies, particularly if Express Scripts is successful in its bid to acquire rival PBM Medco.

Walgreens and Express Scripts have been unable to agree on the terms of a renewed pharmacy network contract and so the contract expired Jan. 1, which means that Walgreens’ 7,700...

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