Video

What are DIR fees?

Jesse C. Dresser, Esq explains how DIR fees affect specialty pharmacists at the NASP Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

JD: So, DIR is [short for] “Direct and Indirect Remuneration.” It is a type of fee, at least for pharmacies, that’s charged on the back end by PBMs. And, in terms of remediating it, there’s a couple options. There’s obviously legislative efforts that have gone on for a couple years now, and haven’t really produced much. There is some efforts in a regulatory level with proposed rulemaking, but again those really haven’t gone terribly far. The big thing that we see in our practice is pharmacies actually stepping up and taking action. That could be engaging in a dialogue with the PBM or could be actually stepping up to the plate and filing some type of action, whether it be a litigation or arbitration. That is something that we’ve seen more and more clients do and with a greater degree of success.

Related Videos
World Standards Week 2024: US Pharmacopeia’s Achievements and Future Focus in Pharmacy Standards
October is American Pharmacists Month.
smiling indian male doctor or pharmacist in white coat with stethoscope and clipboard over drugstore background
Efficient healthcare supply chain management ensures timely delivery of medical supplies and medications
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency | Image Credit: I Viewfinder - stock.adobe.com
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Regulation | Image Credit: Tyler Olson - stock.adobe.com
Naloxone concept represented by wooden letter tiles.
Hand holding a Narcan Evzio Naloxone nasal spray opioid drug overdose prevention medication