𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐁𝐌𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐬 h/t @MMITNetwork

Removing #pharmacy DIR reduced #pharmacy reimbursement by -1.6%, while expanding AWP-to-gross-prescription-cost spread. Looks like Part D plans reduced pharmacy reimbursement to offset loss of post-sales rebates from pharmacies to plans. Source: @Milliman

Watch out! The #IRA will crush buy-and-bill margins for #physicians. Per @Avalere, ASP widely used by comm'l plans, but will be cut by MFPs. I guess manufacturers will be expected to shovel money into buy-and bill market to keep providers viable. ==>

Go birds! 🦅

Uh oh. Many biologic #drugs that will lose patent protection will have no #biosimilars in the development pipeline. Greatest risk for biologics with low sales. My $0.02: #IRA uncertainty doesn't help! Source: @IQVIA_Global

From @PANTHERxRare: Today’s Rare Disease Launches Require the Right Specialty Pharmacy Partner Download "Selecting the Right Specialty Pharmacy Partner for a Successful Launch": Read the article: #sponsored

Interesting: Study of #oncology #drugs finds that Medicare Advantage "may reduce the use of high-cost drugs when there is an interchangeable alternative to more expensive option." Note diff btw colorectal vs. NSCLC (fewer low-cost options) @JAMAHealthForum

Econ 101: Fresh evidence that hospital consolidation raises healthcare costs. Healthcare prices are higher vs. Medicare when (1) hospitals are larger and consolidated & (2) insurers are smaller and fragmented. Source: @health_Affairs

@A_Ciaccia 🤣🤣🤣

Some people have asked for a standalone graphic of vertical integration by the Big Three pharmaceutical wholesalers. Here you go! Source:

As I was saying: @McKesson $MCK announced acquisition of controlling interest in PRISM Vision, a privateequity backed ASO in general ophthalmology and retina management services (180 providers, 91 offices)

𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐱: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐲-𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 (𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨) @cardinalhealth $CAH @CencoraGlobal $COR @McKesson $MCK

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Latest @CMSGov #NHE data continue to show huge discrepancy in patients' out-of-pocket exposure. #DPFE

From @3AxisAdvisors & #NCPA @commpharmacy: Retail #pharmacies face cash flow and profit losses due to #IRA implementation and Medicare Transaction Facilitator #MTF. Just more collateral damage from a poorly designed law. ==>

From @_mercalis: Unlocking AI’s Promise in Patient Support Programs Register for free webinar on 3/13: Read the article: #sponsored

Another big year for #hospital M&A: - $39.7 B in revenues acquired - 72 transactions Good report from KaufmanHall ==>

Counterintuitive POV: The retail #pharmacy industry is more dynamic than you might think, as evidenced by high levels of churn. As teh authors ask: 'Why are so many pharmacies opening in the U.S. if the environment is so bad for pharmacy owners?" @joeymattingly @KellyAnders0n

𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐩, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 2025: - Mark Cuban @mcuban fixes U.S. healthcare - Patients & plans battle the gross spending-to-net bubble - A comeback for #pharmacy students - How @Apexus340B profits from #340B - @A_Ciaccia @46brooklyndata vs. mushrooms Full article ==>

Patients perceive poor experiences from shady alternative funding programs (#AFPs): - Confusion, stress, & anxiety - Therapy delays of 2+ months - Paying full cost b/c of AFP Shameful behavior by employers claiming to provide "insurance" 😞 @AMCPORG