Apr 29, 2019

Drugs are expensive... especially the legal ones that keep many of us alive and in good health. With new specialty drugs in both the market and the pipeline, and mountains of cash changing hands as rebates between drug makers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), an employer’s ability to understand – much less manage – its pharmacy spend is increasingly difficult.

In the latest episode, Ed and Scott get the low-down from Sarah Martin on pharmacy analytics, the games played behind the PBM curtain, and what employers can do to keep their drug spend under control.

• Why are some drugs paid under the health plan’s medical rather than pharmacy component, and why does it matter?
• How can the site of a drug’s administration impact cost?
• Is Ed considered professional enough to “administer specialty drugs?” (No.)
• What is a rebate? How do they work? Who gets them? And how could new legislation change them?