Pinched Pharmacies Pressure FTC to Take Action on Drug Costs

Independent pharmacies and the White House are pressuring the Federal Trade Commission to set its sights on the reimbursement rates set by pharmacy benefit managers, potentially shifting the larger debate in Washington around the ballooning cost of prescription drugs.

A study by the FTC could be the first step toward meaningful changes in the role played by PBMs—companies that dictate prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers and employers.

The FTC is likely to move forward with a study in the coming months after an initial vote deadlocked 2-2 on Feb. 17 over concerns about its scope. The original ...