1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Market Access
  3. >>Pricing Debate

PBM Mergers: Vertical Integration Is Cool – But Don’t Overlook Horizontal Consolidation In Part D

 
• By Michael McCaughan

It is hard not to get caught up in the excitement of reinventing health care deliver amid the wave of retail, PBM and insurer merger agreements and rumors. But there is an immediate impact that might be overlooked: the Medicare Part D market is going to be much more consolidated.

The headlines around the pending mergers of CVS Health Corp./Aetna Inc. and Cigna Corp./Express Scripts Holding Co. – along with a rumored combination of Walmart and Humana Inc. – understandably highlight the implications of vertical integration in the health care sector.

The ideas of how Aetna might leverage the CVS “minute clinics” are really important – to say nothing of the possibility that the dominant name in brick-and-mortar retail (Walmart) could...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Pricing Debate

New Pricing Agreements And Greater Transparency: What A US MFN Policy Could Mean For France

 
• By Francesca Bruce

A potential MFN drug pricing policy in the US could also lead to a greater push for collaborative action in the EU, such as joint procurement among the member states, says one European industry expert.

US ‘Most Favored Nations’ Drug Pricing Policy Will Jeopardize Innovation In Europe

 
• By Francesca Bruce

The US MFN executive order is the latest in a series of concerning US developments that are contributing to uncertainty for the European pharmaceutical industry, according to France Biotech’s vice president, Alexandre Regniault.

Japan Price Cuts For Epkinly and Lunsumio Following CEA

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan is cutting more drug reimbursement prices following cost effectiveness analysis and is applying the methodology to a new group of products including Wegovy and Leqembi.

GLP-1 Pricing ‘Paradigm Shift’ Possible, But Would It Meet Trump’s MFN Goals?

 
• By Cathy Kelly

For the Trump Administration, the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs for obesity have become a poster child for the disparity between US and foreign prices.

More from Market Access

GLP-1 Pricing ‘Paradigm Shift’ Possible, But Would It Meet Trump’s MFN Goals?

 
• By Cathy Kelly

For the Trump Administration, the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs for obesity have become a poster child for the disparity between US and foreign prices.

Rocky Rollout Spells Trouble for Medicare Prescription Payment Plan

 
• By Lauren Flynn Kelly

Enrollment in the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan was lower than expected in the first year and well below CMS expectations, and invoicing data indicates members are slow to pay.

PBM Investigation, Enforcement Action ‘Critical Priorities’ At FTC, Chair Says

 
• By Cathy Kelly

The new FTC chair addressed concerns that staffing cuts will undermine the commission’s commitment to pharmacy benefit manager oversight.