Drug Channels

APRIL 5, 2022

Consider Drug Channels Institute's latest estimates of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) market share, shown in the chart below. For 2021, we estimate that the three biggest PBMs accounted for 80% of total equivalent prescription claims. The highly-consolidated PBM market notched another year of increased concentration.

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Drug Channels

MARCH 16, 2021

I am pleased to announce our new 2021 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers , available for purchase and immediate download. Drug Pricing, Reimbursement, and Patient Costs (press release) We’re offering special discounted pricing if you order before March 28, 2021. Click to Enlarge].

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FDA Law Blog: Biosimilars

MARCH 24, 2024

By Faraz Siddiqui — As drug manufacturers battle the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) in federal courts over the role of 340B contract pharmacies, an Eighth Circuit decision to uphold a 2021 Arkansas law may render those cases inconsequential in that state. Code Ann. § 23-92-604(c)(1), (2) (Act 1103).

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Drug Channels

FEBRUARY 9, 2021

On March 16, 2021, Drug Channels Institute will release The 2021 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. We are providing you with the opportunity to preorder this thoroughly updated and revised 2021 edition at special discounted prices. drug pricing, reimbursement, and dispensing system.

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Drug Channels

MARCH 1, 2022

Our exclusive analysis of these numbers finds that for 2022, an astounding 99% of seniors are enrolled in the wonderland of PDPs with preferred pharmacy networks. Below, we use the new enrollment data to examine the major pharmacy chains’ position within the 27 major Part D plans that have preferred networks. DOWN THE DATA RABBIT HOLE.

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Drug Channels

MARCH 8, 2023

Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. The largest 15 pharmacies accounted for more than 75% of total dispensing revenues from retail, mail, long-term care, and specialty pharmacies. How will GoodRx and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company affect the pharmacy industry? to 1:30 p.m.

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Drug Channels

DECEMBER 7, 2021

For 2021, employers backed away slightly from high-deductible health plans. However, their pharmacy benefit designs increased the use of coinsurance for specialty and fourth-tier drugs. Please join me for my upcoming live video webinar, Drug Channels Outlook 2022 , on December 17, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Drug Channels

JUNE 7, 2021

National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) 2021 Annual Meeting & Expo. September 27-30, 2021 | Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C. The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) returns to Washington, D.C. The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) returns to Washington, D.C.

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Drug Channels

OCTOBER 19, 2021

Hospitals and health systems are rapidly expanding their internal specialty pharmacies—and they’re using questionable tactics to boost revenues and profits. Nearly two-thirds of the larger health system specialty pharmacies operate as the exclusive pharmacy within self-insured health systems’ networks. Hope to see you there!

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Drug Channels

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Click here to see the original post and comments from August 2021. Charlotte Morabito at CNBC has put together “Why Pharmacies Overcharge,” an entertaining and provocative video on the pharmacy industry and its generic prescription pricing. Read more » Copyright © 2006-2021 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. See the list below.

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 3, 2020

Last week , I highlighted the largest pharmacy chains that will participate in the 2021 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDP). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to take a hands-off approach to pharmacy networks. Details and a handy scorecard below.

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Drug Channels

DECEMBER 15, 2023

billion (+22.3%) higher than its 2021 counterpart. Another surprise: HRSA estimated that manufacturers' contract pharmacy restrictions reduced 340B purchases by only $470 million—or less than 1% of 2022's total purchases. I couldn’t wait to share the news, hence this special Sunday post. billion —an astonishing $9.8

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Drug Channels

AUGUST 31, 2021

Charlotte Morabito at CNBC has put together “Why Pharmacies Overcharge,” an entertaining and provocative video on the pharmacy industry and its generic prescription pricing. The video covers the history of pharmacy, from the “Soda Fountain Era” to “Lick, Stick, and Pour” to the rise of PBMs and GoodRx. . Links below.

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Drug Channels

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

billion (+22.3%) higher than its 2021 counterpart. Another surprise: HRSA estimated that manufacturers' contract pharmacy restrictions reduced 340B purchases by only $470 million—or less than 1% of 2022's total purchases. I couldn’t wait to share the news, hence this special Sunday post. billion —an astonishing $9.8

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Drug Channels

OCTOBER 12, 2021

specialty pharmacies—via white, brown, and clear bagging—continue to displace buy-and-bill distribution channels for provider-administered oncology drugs. Check out the latest 2021 data below. The battle for the specialty patient pits hospitals against insurers—and their respective specialty pharmacies.

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

ICYMI, CVS Health recently announced that it will close about 900 of its retail pharmacies. The pharmacy shakeout is accelerating, as smaller competitors exit and larger companies reduce store count. To help you make sense of CVS’s move, below I outline 10 crucial forces of change reshaping the retail pharmacy industry.

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Drug Channels

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

Click here to see the original post and comments from May 2021. Last week, Cigna released its earnings for the first quarter of 2021. I was struck by how quickly Cigna’s Express Scripts PBM business has increased revenues and prescriptions from its retail pharmacy network. Links below. d/b/a Drug Channels Institute.

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

In my previous post , I highlighted the largest pharmacy chains that will participate in the 2022 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDP). Smaller pharmacies’ rejection of Part D preferred networks shows that they are figuring out how to survive a highly challenging retail environment. Perhaps Part D is just a flesh wound?

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Drug Channels

MARCH 2, 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently released its 2021 data on enrollment in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs). Our exclusive analysis of these numbers finds that for 2021, an astounding 99% of seniors are enrolled in PDPs with preferred pharmacy networks.

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

In this issue: The State of Specialty Pharmacy 2021 How health plans profit—and patients lose—from insulin A fantastic new analysis of the gross-to-net bubble Reconsidering Amazon P.S. Please join the nearly 13,000 consumers of my daily commentary and links to neat stuff at @DrugChannels on Twitter. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

In this issue: The State of Specialty Pharmacy 2021 How health plans profit—and patients lose—from insulin A fantastic new analysis of the gross-to-net bubble CVS acknowledges how its PBM profits from 340B Reconsidering Amazon P.S. Please join me for my upcoming live video webinar, Drug Channels Outlook 2022 , on December 17, 2021, from 12:00 p.m.

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Drug Channels

MARCH 1, 2022

Our exclusive analysis of these numbers finds that for 2022, an astounding 99% of seniors are enrolled in the wonderland of PDPs with preferred pharmacy networks. Below, we use the new enrollment data to examine the major pharmacy chains’ position within the 27 major Part D plans that have preferred networks.

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Drug Channels

OCTOBER 20, 2020

Last week, open enrollment began for the 2021 Medicare Part D plans. . Our exclusive analysis of these data reveals that preferred cost sharing pharmacy networks will maintain their dominance as an established component of Part D benefit design. . By the beard of Zeus!

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Drug Channels

APRIL 26, 2022

In this issue: Green Monster : The 340B market hits new highs in 2021 Not-Free Agents : Big 340B profits for CVS, Walgreens, Express Scripts, et al Batter Up : Fixing the insulin market Pinch Hitters : Walgreens bets on robots Plus, Dr. Glaucomflecken helps UnitedHealthcare celebrate Doctors’ Day! Hope to see you there!

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Drug Channels

AUGUST 25, 2021

Time to pack away the bathing suit and get serious again—with these curated curiosities combed from the now-barren Drug Channels beach: OptumRx joins the PBM GPO game Pharmacy DIR fees hit $11 billion A terrific resource on state biosimilar laws Patient views on utilization management Plus, my social media success…from a (print) newspaper ad!

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 22, 2021

In this issue: The State of Specialty Pharmacy 2021 How health plans profit—and patients lose—from insulin A fantastic new analysis of the gross-to-net bubble CVS acknowledges how its PBM profits from 340B Reconsidering Amazon Plus, the FDA preps you for Thursday with a regulatory soup review. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! to 1:30 p.m.

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Drug Channels

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

Our exclusive analysis of Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) data reveals that preferred cost sharing pharmacy networks will maintain their dominance as an established component of Part D benefit design. In upcoming articles, I’ll examine how chain and independent pharmacies will participate in these plans.

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Drug Channels

OCTOBER 15, 2021

Jayne discusses changes in the life science and specialty pharmacy industries since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She highlights three key trends that pharma companies, plan sponsors, and others will consider as we head to the upcoming Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit (October 26 to 29 in Las Vegas). Read on for Jayne’s insights.

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Drug Channels

FEBRUARY 2, 2021

Time to update Drug Channels' exclusive look at independent pharmacy owners’ business economics. Our analysis reveals that despite what you may have heard, many independent pharmacies have figured out how to survive a highly challenging environment. Retail pharmacy profits have rebounded—or at least not fallen any further.

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Drug Channels

JUNE 15, 2021

Drug Channels Institute’s latest review of contract pharmacies in the 340B Drug Pricing Program reveals that an astonishing 30,000 pharmacy locations—half of the entire U.S. pharmacy industry—now act as contract pharmacies for the hospitals and other healthcare providers that participate in the 340B program.

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Drug Channels

FEBRUARY 23, 2021

In this issue: Payers confess: Patients lose from copay accumulators Humana joins the Express Scripts GPO Hospitals vs. PBMs over specialty pharmacy white bagging Let’s all follow the Buy-and-Bill Dollar! Plus, entrepreneurial pharmacy owner Dave Marley demonstrates the power of innovation. Sometimes, the little guy wins big.

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Drug Channels

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Click here to see the original post and comments from May 2021. In Drug Channels Institute's list of the top 15 pharmacies of 2020 , we show that many of the largest U.S. market participants are now central-fill mail and specialty pharmacies operated by PBMs and insurers. Read on for all the details.

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Drug Channels

APRIL 30, 2021

Today’s guest post comes from Natalie Tyler, Director of Pharmacy Operations & Strategy at ConnectiveRx. Natalie discusses how non-commercial pharmacies boost patient access and adherence to specialty therapies. Read more » Copyright © 2006-2021 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. They also help physicians deliver better care.

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Drug Channels

MAY 18, 2021

specialty pharmacies. As you will note below, the specialty pharmacy industry remains quite diverse— despite the concentration of dispensing revenues within a small number of companies. Read more » Copyright © 2006-2021 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. It’s time for Drug Channels Institute’s annual update of the number of U.S.

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Drug Channels

MAY 12, 2021

Last week, Cigna released its earnings for the first quarter of 2021. I was struck by how quickly Cigna’s Express Scripts PBM business has increased revenues and prescriptions from its retail pharmacy network. Read more » Copyright © 2006-2021 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. Links below. Our second chart below highlights this growth.

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Drug Channels

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Does pharmacy need to be disrupted? Venture capitalists clearly think so, judging by the billions they have put behind technology-enabled digital pharmacies. These companies have not gained significant pharmacy industry market share, but their revenue growth rates are impressive. Read on and let me know what you think.

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Drug Channels

OCTOBER 27, 2020

In Preferred Pharmacy Networks Dominate in 2021 Medicare Part D Plans , I highlighted how those networks will again rule next year’s Part D prescription drug plans (PDP). Today, I examine the largest retail chains’ participation in the 27 major 2021 Part D preferred networks that the nine largest plan sponsors will offer. .

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