Content about Express Scripts

September 9, 2011
NACDS urges opposition to Express Scripts-Medco merger in comments to U.S. House panel

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is calling on Congress to scrutinize the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco and, in a letter submitted Friday to the House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, outlined the “problems” it believes would result from the mega-merger.

September 9, 2011
NCPA reiterates opposition to proposed PBM merger before House subcommittee

Lawmakers should oppose the proposed mega-merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the National Community Pharmacists Association again told Congress members during a House subcommittee hearing held Friday.

September 8, 2011
Pennsylvania legislation would ban mandatory mail order

Bills proposed in Pennsylvania's state legislature would allow patients to have their prescriptions filled through mail-order and at community pharmacies for the same price.

September 6, 2011
FTC requests additional information on ESI-Medco merger

The proposed merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions hit a speed bump Friday as the Federal Trade Commission requested additional information, indicating that the agency has raised antitrust concerns.

September 6, 2011
Walgreens makes case of value outside of Express Scripts in SEC filing

Walgreens on Tuesday filed a document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission titled "The Value of Walgreens" that specifically outlined what Walgreens can bring to an employer, exclusive of any relationship with a pharmacy benefit manager, such as Express Scripts.

August 22, 2011
ISPC urges FTC to investigate ESI-Medco merger

The Independent Specialty Pharmacy Coalition is urging the Federal Trade Commission to look into the pending merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the ISPC said Monday.

August 19, 2011
Express Scripts preparing for network without Walgreens

Express Scripts is readying for a pharmacy network without Walgreens, according to an analyst report published Thursday.

August 12, 2011
Chain Drug Consortium opposes ESI-Medco merger

The Chain Drug Consortium on Thursday dispensed a formal letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission expressing its opposition to the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit management companies Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

August 8, 2011
ESI-Medco not a done deal

So, who’s afraid of a bigger, badder Express Scripts-Medco? Apparently not its competitors.

August 4, 2011
Merlo: CVS Caremark positioned to 'effectively compete' in PBM industry

CVS Caremark posted second-quarter results that were at the high end of its guidance and narrowed its 2011 outlook on continued confidence. But it was the pharmacy benefit management business — and the potential merger of PBM rivals Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions — that was top of mind for many industry observers, and was a topic that CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo hit head-on at the start of Thursday morning’s conference call.

August 4, 2011
NACDS, NCPA ask FTC to just say no to Express Scripts-Medco merger

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday delivered their first formal letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in shared opposition to the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

August 1, 2011
Specialty pharmacy group urges regulators to oppose ESI-Medco acquisition

The ink has barely dried on the acquisition agreement between pharmacy benefit management giants Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, but several groups already are seeing smudges — most recently, a trade organization representing independent specialty pharmacy providers.

July 25, 2011
Does ESI need Medco deal to happen? It sure looks like it

In his July 20 letter to benefit consultants, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford made a direct appeal to plan sponsors to either “select a PBM that includes Walgreens” or consider “direct arrangements with plans currently using Express Scripts, to the extent permitted by their contracts.” The letter also included an attached “template agreement that can be used to implement such direct arrangements where permitted,” for consideration.

July 21, 2011
PBM giants Express Scripts, Medco to merge

Two of the country’s largest pharmacy benefit managers plan to merge in a deal worth $29.1 billion.

July 21, 2011
Retail pharmacy groups respond to merger agreement between Express Scripts, Medco

The merger agreement between Medco Health Solutions and Express Scripts announced Thursday has drawn objections from retail pharmacy trade groups.

July 20, 2011
Walgreens reaches out to benefit consultants on healthcare value

Walgreens on Wednesday directly appealed to benefit consultants with a letter apprising them of the chain’s withdrawal from Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network, effective Jan. 1, 2012, and educating those consultants of the healthcare value that Walgreens still can deliver without Express Scripts.

June 23, 2011
Report: Walgreens CFO says company is 'better' without Express Scripts

Walgreens CFO Wade Miquelon said that the chain's decision to break its ties with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts was the best decision, according to a Reuters report.

June 22, 2011
New bill aims to help independent pharmacies to band together, negotiate prices for Rxs

Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., on Monday propositioned a bill that would allow independent drug stores to band together in an effort to increase their collective pharmaceutical buying power.

June 22, 2011
Walgreens discontinues negotiations; PBM Express Scripts shocked

After Walgreens made its contract dispute with Express Scripts public on Tuesday morning, the pharmacy benefit manager stated it is open to continued negotiations with Walgreens.

June 21, 2011
Walgreens to walk away from Express Scripts in 2012

Walgreens on Tuesday announced the company no longer will participate in the Express Scripts network beginning Jan. 1, 2012, citing unsuccessful renewal negotiations.

June 21, 2011
Walgreens' hard stance against PBM dominates earnings call

Soon after reporting double-digit earnings per share growth Tuesday morning, Walgreens announced it would forego as much as $5.3 billion in annual sales, representing some 7% of the company’s business and 90 million prescriptions, as it walks away from its relationship with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.

June 20, 2011
Adherence, generics to reduce $403bn in waste

The latest drug trend report from pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts estimated that if patients using maintenance medications used cheaper therapies when possible, adhered to their medication therapies and used home delivery, it could eliminate $403 billion in pharmacy waste every year.


June 20, 2011
Waste not, want not: Ways to avoid Rx waste

In its “2010 Drug Trend Report,” Express Scripts attributed much pharmacy-related waste to patients failing to follow three simple guidelines: Take medications as prescribed, take drugs that maximize clinical benefit for the lowest price and use the safest and cheapest delivery channel.

June 8, 2011
Moody's gives CVS Caremark high rating among PBM competitors

Moody's Investors Service compared the three largest pharmacy benefit managers — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions — in a report issued Tuesday. While it maintained a positive view of all three, it gave CVS Caremark the highest credit rating.

May 31, 2011
USA Today article highlights risks of medication nonadherence

The major consumer press is beginning to understand the value of community pharmacy and the importance of medication adherence in managing outcomes in healthcare spending, as evidenced by the recent USA Today article "Studies: Missed meds could cost more than $250B a year."

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