The National Community Pharmacists Association is skeptical new reimbursement policies from Express Scripts will amount to meaningful change for independent pharmacies.
In a April 21 news release, the association said, "There is no basis for independent pharmacies to have confidence they will actually see increased reimbursements from Cigna-Express Scripts. "
On April 20, Express Scripts, a pharmaceutical benefit manager owned by Cigna, said it would increase reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies that are the only pharmacy within 10 miles of an Express Scripts customer.
Express Scripts is also moving to cover certain routine and preventive care services at independent pharmacies.
B. Douglas Hoey, president of the National Community Pharmacists Association, said in the release Express Scripts' move does not address "underlying, structural issues" with PBMs.
"Those investigating PBMs — whether at agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, in Congress, or in the states — should not be fooled by these and other attempts to mislead or redirect or make it appear that they're rehabilitating their detrimental business practices to reflect widespread concerns about their anti-competitive behaviors," Mr. Hoey said.
In addition to upping reimbursements for some pharmacies, Express Scripts will add new price caps and transparency models in 2023.
The moves come as PBMs are facing more scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators. In March, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability opened an investigation into three PBMs, including Express Scripts, for alleged anti-competitive practices.