Mergers That Built Drug Middlemen Need Review, GOP Lawmakers Say

Republican lawmakers have asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to review whether past mergers by pharmacy-benefit managers have been good for consumers, on the brink of two pending major takeovers in the industry.

“Because some mergers may benefit patients while other mergers may harm patients, we believe it is important to closely monitor these trends,” wrote Representatives Greg Walden, Gregg Harper and Michael Burgess on July 27. Walden is the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has legislative jurisdiction over many health-care matters.

PBMs typically contract with health plans or employers to provide prescription benefits to ...