HHS Proposes Rule to End Middleman Drug Pricing Rebates

On January 31, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar proposed a rule to remove safe harbor protections for drug rebates paid by manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Medicare Part D plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations. Through the removal of these protections, HHS and the Trump Administration continue their attempts to lower prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs. The proposal would also create new safe harbor protection for fixed fee service arrangements between manufacturers and PBMs. 

Read the proposed rule here. Read the HHS press release here and the HHS fact sheet here.

Posted 2/1/2019