Opinion: What does PBM stand for? In Ohio (and elsewhere), it’s programs bilking millions
Kudos to the Columbus Dispatch for shining much-needed light on the inner workings of pharmacy benefit managers.
As the chief pharmacy officer of a major health system, I’ve been aware of the financial shenanigans of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, for some time. These companies are supposed to help control costs for payers and lower out-of-pocket costs for plan members. But as a team of investigative journalists with the Columbus Dispatch are revealing, some pharmacy benefit managers are skimming hundreds of millions of dollars in Ohio alone, boosting drug costs for everyone.
The Dispatch team is shining much-needed light on the inner workings of pharmacy benefit managers. Even I have been surprised at what they have turned up.
Pharmacy benefit managers market themselves as keen negotiators able to squeeze
