Doctors are once again stuck in the middle between Big Pharma versus the managed care companies with the PBM guard dogs. It comes down to coupons. Personally, I use them for patients. I no longer sample medication but I will use coupons which bring down the cost of the co-pay of some name brand drugs. I guess this is now a bad thing? In fact, the state of Massachusetts bands them like it is a crime. The NYT is reporting that the cost of this is getting high (for whom?) as patients using these coupons are finally getting the prescriptions they need.
I feel that I represent the patient. I am also understanding of the big picture and do not prescribe brand drugs willy nilly. I use generic meds any time I think it is prudent but there are many meds that patients need which a $75 copay is just too much. Here is what is being said:
Executives at insurers and pharmacy benefit management companies say they would like to counter the cards and coupons but are not sure exactly how to do so. One problem is that the information they receive from pharmacies does not specify whether the co-pay was made by the patient or by the drug company. “The payer doesn’t know, and the P.B.M. doesn’t know,” said F. Everett Neville, chief trade relations officer at Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefits manager. “We have no ability to stop it and no ability to prohibit it.”
Executives at insurers and pharmacy benefit management companies say they would like to counter the cards and coupons but are not sure exactly how to do so. One problem is that the information they receive from pharmacies does not specify whether the co-pay was made by the patient or by the drug company. “The payer doesn’t know, and the P.B.M. doesn’t know,” said F. Everett Neville, chief trade relations officer at Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefits manager. “We have no ability to stop it and no ability to prohibit it.”
And I am supposed to care? These guys want a better bottom line because I guess their double digit profits and stock gains aren't enough. They would rather cut off some needed drugs from patients (knowing they will NOT pay the higher copay and go without) than see any loss in revenue. Sorry guys, I am sticking to the coupons. And screw Massachusetts.
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