Proposed Federal Limits Medicaid on Generic Drug Reimbursement Continue to Fall Short

By Kevin Schweers

Federal Medicaid officials published their fourth batch of draft federal upper limits (FULs) for generic drug reimbursement, but the proposed levels remain inadequate and, if implemented, could force many small independent pharmacies out of the Medicaid program, NCPA told the agency in a recent letter.

Pharmacy Safety is Always Top of Mind

by Valerie Briggs, MBA

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the recent robbery at Charlie’s Family Pharmacy in Seaford, N.Y. Pharmacy crime is a growing concern for us all and this recent event is a tragic reminder to reflect on the best ways to improve safety.

Community Pharmacists Can Help Reduce Drug-Related Hospitalizations

By Kevin Schweers

Community pharmacists can play a vital role in reducing medication-related hospitalizations, NCPA argues in a recent letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

New Year, Same Problems for a New Mexico Independent Pharmacist

By John Coster, RPh., Ph.D.

NCPA routinely speaks to policymakers (and anyone else who’ll listen) about the value independent community pharmacies provide and the concerns of these pharmacists, which are often shared by their patients as well. Those efforts continue, but there’s no substitute for pharmacists expressing their views directly to elected officials, the local media and others.

The Way the Big PBMs “Compete” for Business Should Raise Serious Questions About Express Scripts-Medco Merger

By Zachary French

As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 28 state attorneys general and Congress evaluate the consequences of the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco, two of the “Big 3” Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the regrettable saga of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) should raise serious concerns about how the Big 3 PBMs currently compete for business.

Consumer Protections and Rural Health Care: Two More Reasons to Oppose the Express Scripts-Medco Pharmacy Merger

By Kevin Schweers

Six leading consumer groups and a leading non-profit independent antitrust think tank have renewed their opposition to the proposed mega-merger of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) Express Scripts and Medco.  In addition, a Minnesota Congressman is concerned that the deal could harm rural communities and health care.

Two More Opposing Voices Added to Express Scripts-Medco Merger

By John Norton

The opposition to the proposed Express Scripts-Medco merger of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) continues to intensify as we ring in the New Year.

New Congressional Questions on Express Scripts-Medco Pharmacy Merger

Not long after a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee’s hearing on the proposed Express Scripts-Medco mega-merger of pharmacy benefit managers, two Michigan Republicans became the 28^th and 29^th Members of Congress to raise questions about the merger.

Anti-Generic Lipitor® Deal Raises Familiar Questions about Pharmacy Benefit Managers

A recent report in The New York Times over alleged efforts to stymie generic drug use should raise questions among health care plan sponsors, policymakers and patients regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the proposed mega merger of PBMs Express Scripts-Medco and the coming wave of generic drugs.

In Merger Bid, Express Scripts-Medco Present a Deceptive ‘Pharmacist’ Front

By B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA

Express Scripts and Medco recently trotted out their staff pharmacists before Congress in full-page ads and in person as the face of their proposed mega-merger, essentially swapping out CEO suits for white coats. It turns out to be another case of the PBM rhetoric not matching the reality.