SPOTLIGHT: Settlements between PBMs, states not tough enough

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:59:52 -0400

Recently, the industry has seen a string of cases in which pharmacy benefit managers have agreed to fork over settlements over allegations of bad behavior. Most recently, this includes the instance in which Express Scripts struck a $9.5 million agreement with 28 states over its attempts to steer patients into brand name drugs. However, these settlements are nowhere near tough-enough to deter erring PBMs from continuing with crooked practices, argues Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus. He argues that it will take "stronger medicine" to turn the industry around. Article

ALSO NOTED: FL hospitals spend $2.35B on uncompensated care; MN HMO gets $6 million bailout; and much more...

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Florida's hospitals have tagged their uncompensated care tab for 2006 at $2.35 billion. Article
> A Minnesota county's HMO plan for the needy has gotten a $6 million bailout intended to keep it in compliance with state law and help it meet minimum reserves levels. Article

> A new report suggests that better staff training could head off many medical data privacy violations. FierceHealthIT

> Increasingly, pharmacy benefit managers are becoming sole distributors for some pricey nice drugs, a practice which lines their pockets but could contribute to drug pricing increases, observers say. FiercePharma

And Finally... Unfortunately, soldiers lose limbs in battle zones--but can those limbs be regrown? The Pentagon thinks the answer might be "yes." Article