Pharma Pulse: PBM Reform Hits the Courtroom and Telehealth’s Legislative Victory

Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let’s get into today’s headlines.

• The FTC has finalized a landmark settlement with Express Scripts, targeting the "rebate trap." The agreement aims to dismantle anticompetitive practices that the FTC alleges artificially inflated the price of life-saving medications like insulin. With $7 billion in projected relief for patients over the next decade, the deal mandates a total overhaul of how rebates are handled, forcing PBMs to prioritize lower list prices over hidden kickbacks.
• Meanwhile, digital health is here to stay. In the latest federal budget package, lawmakers have officially extended critical telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries. This "win-win" provision removes the threat of a telehealth cliff, ensuring that providers can continue to offer remote care without the fear of sudden reimbursement cuts. It’s a major victory for rural access and chronic disease management.

That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com.

Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.

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