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Senate Committee Passes Moderate PBM Reform, But Has Its Eyes On Stronger Policies

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Delinking pharmacy benefits managers’ compensation from the prices of drugs received bipartisan rhetorical support at a HELP markup, but the panel only cleared less drastic PBM reforms along with generic and orphan-drug focused policies. Approved amendments tackled step therapy, pharma transparency and PBM gag clauses, among other topics.

Senate HELP Committee Markup
Senate HELP Committee advanced four pharma-focused bills 11 May • Source: Senate HELP Committee

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee easily cleared four bills aimed at tackling the cost of pharmaceuticals on 11 May on unanimous or near unanimous votes, marking the start of what Chairman Bernie Sanders hopes will eventually lead to more sweeping reforms during his tenure atop the powerful committee.

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