Pharmacy Middlemen Try to Divert Congressional Fee Crackdown

Pharmacy benefit managers this week will try to counter the advance of bills in Congress that would cut into their profits, arguing the change only benefits drugmakers.

The pushback comes as lawmakers in both chambers are stepping up efforts this fall to pass legislation targeting the middlemen often blamed for rising drug prices. The pharmaceutical industry and independent pharmacies have long blamed PBMs for high prescription drug costs in the US because of the rebates and fees they collect. Congress is now considering banning PBMs from getting paid based on the amount of discount they negotiate from drugmakers, among other ...