u/samIam70000

I’ve been seeing more and more states push new restrictions on PBMs, and it made me wonder if we’re moving a little too fast. I keep seeing “fix PBMs” this, “fix PBMs” that, as if it’s the answer to high drug costs, but changing one rule after another doesn’t necessarily mean costs will come down. At some point, maybe we should let the reforms already passed actually play out and see what changes. Otherwise, we’re just constantly reshuffling the system without knowing if it’s really helping patients.

This is definitely something to watch. Hopefully CVS and the pharmacists can find some common ground before it gets to the point of a walkout. There are too many patients who rely on these pharmacies every day.

Maybe dumb question, but are we sure PBMs are the main reason prescription drugs are so expensive?

Saw this article today.

A lot of the reform discussion seems focused on PBMs (spread pricing, rebates, transparency requirements, fiduciary rules, etc.), but drug pricing feels like a much bigger ecosystem problem.

If PBMs get heavily restricted, does that actually lower costs for patients? Or does the money just shift somewhere else in the system?

Not taking a side here. Just trying to understand whether these reforms are addressing the actual problem or just one piece of it.

Not even trying to pick sides but forcing companies to split PBMs and pharmacies feels like it could seriously reshape healthcare access. Wonder how this plays out for patients if major chains start closing locations. Also kinda interesting how PBMs get targeted nonstop while Big Pharma still gets to launch insanely expensive drugs upstream?! Lol only in the USA