STAT+: PBMs agree to display TrumpRx drug prices

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) announced on Thursday that nine major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have agreed to provide pricing information on drugs available through TrumpRx to their members. The agreement covers the "Big Three" PBMs - CVS Caremark, Optum Rx by UnitedHealth Group, and Express Scripts by Cigna - as well as Elevance Health's CarelonRx, Humana, MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Navitus Health Solutions, Prime Therapeutics, VtylOne, and WellDyne.

Members of these PBMs will be able to access real-time benefit tools and other pricing resources to view the cash prices for drugs purchased through TrumpRx. This move was reported by Fox Business, citing comments from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, who praised the agreement's potential to increase competition, reduce costs and improve value for American patients.

The White House launched TrumpRx in February, and since then, multiple drugmakers and stakeholders have committed to expanding the platform. In May, TrumpRx added 600 generic drugs to its offerings. However, the platform's cost-saving claims have been met with skepticism, with a New York Times analysis disputing the assertion that TrumpRx provides the "world's lowest" drug prices.

PCMA CEO David Marin emphasized that the agreement is advantageous for both the industry and American families, stating that patients are better off with more options and clear visibility into drug costs. He highlighted the administration's commitment to using real-time benefit tools to empower patients with knowledge about their prescription drug expenses.