Second Phase of PBM Campaign Underway

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) recently launched the second phase of its campaign That’s What PBMs Do, which was previously reported by AJPB.

This new phase includes 2 new videos outlining how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and specialty pharmacies can help lower costs and increase patient access to expensive medications.

"In healthcare, people want better care and lower costs. Specialty pharmacies and preferred pharmacy networks accomplish both," PCMA President and CEO Mark Merritt said in a press release.

The first new video, Helping Seniors Save with Preferred Pharmacies, reports that since there is so much competition between drugstores, PBMs administer discount drugstore plans, which are the most popular plan in Medicare Part D. Approximately 75% of Part D enrollees choose discount drugstore plans, according to the video.

A study has found that preferred pharmacies can save $9.3 billion in Medicare Part D costs over the next 10 years, according to the press release.

The second new video, Improving Quality & Safety, and Saving Money with Specialty Pharmacies, defines what specialty pharmacies are and how the medications they administer are typically for life-threatening or disabling conditions.

According to the video, some physicians that prescribe specialty medications do not think that traditional drugstores are as qualified to provide these treatments compared with specialty pharmacies. Specialty pharmacies have teams of pharmacists, nurses, and clinicians to work alongside physicians and patients to ensure medications are given safely and effectively.

These pharmacies can also reduce costs by $250 billion over the next decade for consumers, employers, and government programs, according to the video. As stated in the press release and on the campaign website, PBMs are expected to save $654 billion in drug benefit costs over the next 10 years.