A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill requiring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health insurers to divest their ownership of pharmacies. This move addresses criticism that PBMs' vertical integration creates monopolies in American healthcare, driving up prescription costs.

A report discusses how the business practices of PBMs are leading to the closure of independent pharmacies, resulting in reduced access to medications for many communities. The article highlights the need for regulatory scrutiny of PBM operations.

There is increasing advocacy for the FTC to examine PBMs' co-manufacturing agreements and their impact on drug pricing. Critics argue that these relationships may be contributing to anticompetitive practices and higher consumer costs.

An investigative article examines how PBMs' confidential negotiations and rebate practices may have contributed to rising drug prices and the opioid crisis. The report suggests that PBMs' influence on drug formularies and pricing has had significant public health implications.

A recent report highlights the increasing number of "pharmacy deserts" in the U.S., where residents lack access to nearby pharmacies due to widespread closures. This trend raises concerns about access to medications and healthcare services in affected communities.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against major insulin manufacturers and PBMs, alleging a conspiracy to inflate insulin prices. The suit contends that these practices have led to exorbitant costs for patients requiring insulin.

The FTC has initiated legal action against the three largest PBMs—Caremark Rx, Express Scripts, and OptumRx—claiming they have engaged in anticompetitive practices that artificially raise insulin prices. This lawsuit aims to address the impact of PBM practices on the affordability of essential medications for consumers.

Express Scripts, one of the big 3 PBMs, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), seeking a retraction of the FTC's July 2024 report. The report alleges that PBMs, including Express Scripts, have been engaging in practices that inflate drug prices.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has requested that executives from major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) revise statements made during a recent congressional hearing. The Committee's investigation suggests that certain PBM practices may be contributing to higher prescription drug prices.

The federal government has announced the first set of prescription drug prices negotiated under the Inflation Reduction Act, aiming to lower costs for Medicare beneficiaries. This initiative is projected to save Medicare enrollees significant amounts on their medications starting in 2026.