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Senators, Representatives Introduce Bill That Would Ban Joint Ownership of PBMs and Pharmacies


Published on 2024-12-16 17:20:38 - MSN
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  • Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley and Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Jake Auchincloss introduced the Patients Before Monopolies Act on Wednesday.

The article discusses a legislative initiative by Senators and Representatives aimed at addressing conflicts of interest within the pharmaceutical supply chain. The proposed bill seeks to ban the joint ownership of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and pharmacies. PBMs act as intermediaries between drug manufacturers, health insurers, and pharmacies, managing drug benefits on behalf of health plans. Critics argue that when PBMs own pharmacies, they can steer patients towards their own pharmacies, potentially increasing costs and reducing competition. This bill, if passed, would prevent such vertical integration, aiming to ensure fair competition and potentially lower drug prices for consumers by eliminating the incentive for PBMs to favor their own pharmacies. The legislation reflects growing concerns over the influence and practices of PBMs in the healthcare sector.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/senators-representatives-introduce-bill-that-would-ban-joint-ownership-of-pbms-and-pharmacies/ar-AA1vYuDg ]

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