PCMA SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dZraCfbwoceTbHlZUOvS

November 13, 2012

Forward

Archive

News for the PBM Industry

Featured Story

Consumers can lower health care costs by avoiding brand drug coupons, asking for generics
Consumers can lower health care costs by avoiding brand drug coupons, according to a Pharmaceutical Care Management Association report. A Consumer Reports analysis of drug-pricing data offers consumers additional ways to save money on prescription drugs, including asking about the availability of generics and shopping around for lower-cost drugstores. The Washington Post/Consumers Union (11/12)

Legislative & Regulatory News

ACA could still face legal challenges
Legal challenges still have potential to undermine the Affordable Care Act, experts say. Lawsuits working their way through the courts address subsidies to buy health insurance on federally run exchanges, put forth new objections to the law's mandates and allege that the ACA is in essence a tax law that should have originated in the House. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (11/13)

Employers encourage workers to help control health care costs
More employers are asking employees to take responsibility for health care costs by providing lump sums for employees to purchase their own health insurance, offering wellness plans or encouraging employees to seek bargains. More employers plan to offer high-deductible insurance plans coupled with health savings accounts or reimbursement arrangements, a Towers Watson survey found. The Wall Street Journal (11/11)

Drug Industry Spotlight

FDA finds unsanitary conditions, unsafe practices at Ameridose
The FDA issued a report Monday listing unsafe practices and unsanitary conditions at Ameridose, which include drug solutions contaminated with germs, a bird and insects flying in areas where sterile products were stored and packaged, and rusted and unsanitary equipment. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/12), The Washington Post/The Associated Press (11/12)

Sanofi encounters resistance, lowers price for cancer drug
Sanofi announced it would offer a 50% discount to doctors and hospitals on cancer drug Zaltrap after three doctors from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center publicized the health system's refusal to prescribe the drug because it was too expensive and no more effective than similar drugs. Patient copayments and Medicare reimbursement will be based on the higher list price in the short term. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/8)

Watson gets FDA nod for generic Revatio
Watson Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for its 20-milligram sildenafil tablets for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Sildenafil is the generic formulation of Revatio, made by Pfizer. Drug Store News (11/12)

SmartQuote

For the happiest life, rigorously plan your days, leave your nights open to chance."

--Mignon McLaughlin,
American author and journalist

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Contact PCMA

Charles Cote
Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications
(202) 207-3610

Follow PCMA on Twitter

About PCMA

PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 210 million Americans with health coverage provided through Fortune 500 employers, health insurance plans, labor unions, and Medicare Part D. PCMA is dedicated to enhancing the proven tools and techniques pioneered by PBMs that generate savings and access for consumers and payors.


	Recent PCMA SmartBrief Issues: Monday, November 12, 2012 Friday, November 09, 2012 Thursday, November 08, 2012 Wednesday, November 07, 2012 Tuesday, November 06, 2012			Lead Editor: Melissa Turner Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004