Bipartisan Lawmakers Question Drug Makers, Vendors on Price Transparency

Bipartisan House members questioned pharmaceutical industry leaders on Feb. 11, seeking to learn how the complicated drug supply chain may increase the cost of prescription medications. “One of the most frustrating aspects of the supply chain is that it operates as if in a black box,” Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) said in opening the hearing by the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Pharmacy benefit managers drew much of the attention. These companies negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of employers and insurance plans, manage pharmacy claims, and provide other services such as tracking drug utilization trends. Though Congress recently enacted some reforms to the industry, some members and witnesses expressed frustration with what they described as secretive practices of pharmacy benefit managers....