New campaign touts role of pharmacy benefit managers in reducing prescription costs

Pharmacy benefit managers could save labor unions, employers, government programs and consumers upwards of $654 billion during the next ten years, according to a new campaign launched by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), the national group representing pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs.

“This campaign is focused on educating policymakers and opinion leaders on how PBMs reduce costs, expand access, and improve the quality of prescription drug benefits for more than 266 million Americans,” said PCMA President and CEO Mark Merritt.

PBMs lower drug costs through a variety of means, including home delivery of medications through the mail, preferred pharmacy networks, encouraging the use of generic medicines, negotiating rebates from drug makers and reducing waste.

The campaign’s Web site, www.ThatsWhatPBMsDo.com, including new print advertisements, videos, and state savings research from the consulting firm Visante.