Advocacy & Practice Updates — Advocacy & Practice
ASRS Recommends FTC Take Action to Limit Insurers' Use of Specialty Pharmacies
In response to a recent request for information on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), ASRS submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the agency to explore ways to limit the use of specialty pharmacies for physician-administered drugs. ASRS describes how insurers are increasingly requiring the use of PBM-affiliated specialty pharmacies to obtain FDA-approved branded anti-VEGF drugs. We note that this practice has the potential to delay sight-saving care for patients and presents significant administrative and logistical challenges for practices. The FTC noted in its request for information that it plans to investigate PBMs and their impact on drug prices in the coming months.
(5.11.22)