1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Market Access
  3. >>PBMs

PBM Reform Legislation Do-Over Will Need Bipartisan Help Amid Partisan Budget Battle

 
• By Cathy Kelly

The leader of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee has a plan for passing pharmacy benefit manager reforms, but Democrats are skeptical.

The committee must proposing major federal spending cuts. Will it have time for PBM reform? (Shutterstock)
Key Takeaways
  • Pharmacy benefit manager reform legislation could move in the coming weeks, but substantial obstacles remain.
  • House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie said a key to passage will be bipartisan teamwork, which may be difficult to muster.
  • Democrats are concerned that Republicans may not remain committed to passage after they "reneged" on a deal in December 2024 under pressure from Elon Musk and then president-elect Trump.

Chances that pharmacy benefit manager reform legislation will move in the next few weeks will depend on whether Republicans and Democrats can work together while also engaged in a contentious...

A 26 February Health Subcommittee hearing on PBM reform marked an effort to revive the momentum behind reform legislation. The bill’s passage was derailed in...

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 PBMs

‘Tectonic’ Arkansas PBM Legislation May Upend Industry

 
• By Tim Casey

Industry will fight hard to prevent other states or the federal government from adopting measures similar to Arkansas' law preventing PBMs from owning pharmacies.

House Budget Bill Includes Delayed Orphan Fix, Also Risks Downstream Cell and Gene Coverage

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The first two classes of negotiated drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act would not benefit from a rare disease adjustment House Republicans included in their reconciliation package.

PBMs No Longer Profit From Rebates But Plans Benefit; Should Sponsors Push More For Reform?

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Employers and other health plan sponsors may need to push for better targeted reforms that lower cost sharing for patients.

PBMs Must Prepare For Revival Of Drug Price Transparency Requirements

 
• By Jill Drachenberg

Experts say PBMs should become familiar with transparency rules and prepare to release data, although more legal wrangling could occur.

More from Geography

UroGen’s Bladder Cancer Drug Draws Split Decision From US FDA Panel

 
• By Sue Sutter

The Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 5-4 that the overall benefit-risk of UGN-102 is not favorable in patients with recurrent low grade, intermediate-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and also divided on whether randomized trials should be required for future development programs.

US FDA Will Help States Apply To Import Cheaper Drugs From Canada

 
• By Cathy Kelly

The FDA is not currently signaling that stringent rules for the process will be relaxed, but the agency's change in approach is notable.

Global Pandemic Deal Adopted As 124 Countries Say Yes; US Sits Out

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Now that the landmark Pandemic Agreement has finally been adopted, work will start on drafting a pathogen access and benefit sharing system that will be voluntary for use by drug companies.