ST. LOUIS, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts
(NASDAQ:ESRX) today released this statement in support of S. 2553,
the "Know the Lowest Price Act of 2018," introduced by U.S.
Senators Stabenow, Collins, Wyden,
Cassidy, McCaskill and Barrasso, and S. 2554, the "Patient Right to
Know Drug Prices Act," introduced by U.S. Senators Collins, McCaskill, Barrasso, Stabenow and
Cassidy.
Express Scripts is against clawbacks and gag clauses,
anti-patient practices that have been used by other pharmacy
benefit managers.
"Express Scripts has long supported the goals of S. 2553 and S.
2554, and we have worked with state lawmakers across the country to
prohibit the anti-consumer practice of so-called "gag clauses." We
applaud the Senators for leading on this important issue. Since we
are already in compliance, we are prepared for an effective date of
today.
"Drug makers want plan sponsors and patients to think that
pharmacy benefit managers gain from this anti-consumer practice,
which is clearly not the case. We encourage swift consideration of
S. 2553 and S. 2554 so lawmakers can focus on the real issue – high
drug prices set by manufacturers."
As part of its mission to put medicine within reach of patients,
Express Scripts believes its members should pay the lowest cost
possible, and be informed about the out of pocket cost of their
medication in advance of filling a prescription. We provide members
real-time pricing information, customized to their individual
plans, via our website and mobile app. Moreover, pharmacies
in our retail network are not permitted to charge a member more for
their copay under their benefit than the pharmacy's cash
price.
While there is never an instance where a pharmacist or pharmacy
would need to tell an Express Scripts member about a lower cost by
paying cash because the claim would process at the lower cost, we
agree that so-called "gag clauses" are not in patients' best
interest. Therefore, they are not part of our retail network
agreements.
More information on this issue can be found at:
http://lab.express-scripts.com/lab/insights/drug-options/keeping-copays-affordable
About Express Scripts
Express Scripts is leading the
way for tens of millions of people by aligning with plan sponsors,
taking bold action and delivering patient-centered care to make
better health more affordable and accessible.
Headquartered in St. Louis,
Express Scripts provides a full range of integrated pharmacy
benefit management services, including home delivery pharmacy care,
specialty pharmacy care and benefit management, benefit-design
consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management and
medical and drug data analysis, that guide patients and plans
toward better health by prioritizing quality care at competitive
rates. Our services drive down the cost of care for
employer-funded, Medicare, Medicaid and Public Exchange plans.
Express Scripts also distributes a full range of biopharmaceutical
products and offers innovative medical benefit management
services.
For more information, visit Lab.Express-Scripts.com or follow
@ExpressScripts on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Jennifer
Luddy
201.269.6402
Jennifer_Luddy@express-scritps.com
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SOURCE Express Scripts