U.S. drug prices hit by insurer tactic against copay assistance: analysis

[Judi Lynn]

JUNE 5, 2018 / 7:08 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Michael Erman, Caroline Humer
4 MIN READ

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A recently adopted tactic by U.S. health plans to limit the financial assistance drugmakers provide directly to consumers for prescription medicines is taking a toll on drug prices, according to a new analysis released on Tuesday.

Real U.S. drug prices, including discounts and rebates, fell 5.6 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to a 1.7 percent drop in the same period a year ago, according to Sector & Sovereign research analyst Richard Evans.

He attributed most of the decline to ‘copay accumulator’ programs introduced by pharmacy benefits managers, who manage prescription drug benefits and negotiate on behalf of insurers and other payers.

If drugmakers cannot find a way to circumvent these programs by next year, Evans said, those declines could double or triple.

More:
https://in.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-drugpricing/u-s-drug-prices-hit-by-insurer-tactic-against-copay-assistance-analysis-idINKCN1J2005?rpc=401&

[BigmanPigman]

1. So "copay accumulators"

will possibly lower drug prices and NOT the fabulous deals made be the fake pres as he promised during his campaign. I am sure he will take credit for it though and Fix Ruse will repeat it and their ignorant minions will believe it.