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. 2009 Feb;15(2):87-93.

A blueprint for pharmacy benefit managers to increase value

William H Shrank  1 , Michael E Porter, Sachin H Jain, Niteesh K Choudhry
Affiliations

A blueprint for pharmacy benefit managers to increase value

William H Shrank et al. Am J Manag Care. 2009 Feb.

Abstract

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have a unique opportunity to promote health and generate value in the healthcare system. Today, PBMs are largely evaluated on their ability to control costs rather than improve health. Pharmacy benefit managers should be evaluated along 3 dimensions in which they can increase value: (1) use of cost-effective medications, (2) timely initiation of appropriate medication therapy, and (3) adherence to that therapy. Value creation requires the development of integrated data systems, stronger partnerships with patients and physicians, and improved measurement and reporting of results. Incentives for PBMs to promote value should drive innovation and improve health outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author Disclosure: Drs Shrank and Choudhry report receiving grants from CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Aetna. Dr Porter reports receiving lecture fees from the American Medical Group Association. Dr Jain reports no relationship or financial interest with any entity that would pose a conflict of interest with the subject matter of this article.

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