‘Alternative' PBMs Say Vertical Integration Unfairly Carving Them Out Of The Game

Alternatives to the top pharmacy benefits managers argue health plan-PBM integration is leading to anti-competitive tactics that make it impossible for some employers to switch PBMs. 

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Carving out PBM services from a vertically integrated health company can be extremely difficult or cost-prohibitive and is anti-competitive, smaller PBMs argue. • Source: Shutterstock

Alternatives to the top pharmacy benefits managers say they have fairer and more cost-effective business models for administering employers’ drug benefits, but the vertical integration and power of the largest health insurance companies and PBMs often put them on uneven footing.

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