Congress has agreed to a deal that would significantly curb the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen between healthcare providers and insurance companies that have long been a target of industry criticism. As part of a government funding package, lawmakers plan to extend telehealth services, fund public health initiatives, and implement major changes to PBM regulations. The language of the proposed package remains confidential, but sources indicate it will address the pharmaceutical industry’s top priority: reducing the influence of PBMs. This development comes after the pharma industry faced a setback in 2022 when Democrats passed their drug pricing law, which was met with significant opposition from the industry. Industry spending on advertising is believed to have played a role in securing many of its desired reforms.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2024/12/16