There's plenty of attention being paid -finally!- to the super-concentration of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) marketplace, and the latest merger. The federal Trade Commission (FTC) is in the middle of an investigation of the proposed Express Scripts-Medco merger, which would create the nation's largest administrator of drug benefits if federal regulators sign off. The FTC investigation could last several more months (details are confidential). There are 33 state AG offices led by Pennsylvania that are looking into the merger, and there will be a Senate Judiciary hearing in early December. A House committee held a similar hearing last month and 14 members of Congressrecently signed a letter of concern to the Federal Trade Commission. The powerful industry isn't taking this lying down, and is out lobbying in force on Capitol Hill. Read this article about "dueling lobby days." Consumer groups as well as community pharmacists have led the fight against the merger, with a recent press conference and the formation of a national coalition, not to mention op-ed articles. No wonder Medco is championing robots over pharmacists! NLARx signed a letter with other national consumer groups opposing the merger earlier this year. Want to stay up to date on merger action and reaction? Go to a new website, http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=dxiucccab&et=1108455173285&s=0&e=001dnQC3_70n_JIq3I7-chWAcw7yLzl7QnI77l1TF4MqRSuJGjiikHDWmvfdjXbCYLNFu5lrnI-0VaVSpfYCACd0beHuTVu9Bii.
For more information:
Sharon Anglin Treat, NLARx Executive Director
207-622-5597
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