Express Scripts to continue PBM services for DOD

ST. LOUIS Express Scripts said Friday that it will continue to provide pharmacy benefit management services to more than 9 million Defense Department beneficiaries, according to published reports.

Express Scripts already has contracts to provide retail and mail pharmacy benefit services for the members. The latest contract, which will be phased in starting next year, combines those services and adds other functions, including managing the beneficiaries’ specialty drug needs.

With the contract comes the option for five years of mail order and retail pharmacy dispensing services. If all options are exercised, the total value is about $2.8 billion, excluding the cost of pharmaceuticals, the Defense Department said in a news release.

“It is a great honor to continue serving our men and women in uniform, along with their dependents and military retirees—to work on their behalf making the use of prescription drugs safer and more affordable,” said George Paz, chairman and chief executive of Express Scripts. “We look forward to continuing to meet beneficiaries’ needs with outstanding service.”

Express Scripts has been providing home delivery and pharmacy network services to the Defense Department since 2003 and 2004, respectively.