by Craig S.Stern, RPh, PharmD, MBA
President
Pro Pharma Pharmaceutical Consultants, Inc.

Rebates are a fact of life for most businesses. Volume purchasing contracts in most industries commonly contain some rebate, free merchandise, coupons, or discounts to offset the cost of purchasing large quantities of goods. Drug purchasing by pharmacies is no different, nor claim administrators like PBMs, nor are plan sponsors who pay for drugs for pharmacy benefits.

by Joseph Coffini, RPh, Principal
Trivantage Pharmacy Strategies, LLC

One would be hard-pressed to find an industry more competitive than the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) industry. Outside of the Medicare population there is precious little new opportunities where a PBM can expand its market share. If PBM “A” wants to grow it has to take business from PBM “B” and vice versa. This type of marketplace should result in a buyers market, and in many ways it has, but selecting the right PBM for you and knowing what you are getting can at times be a difficult task. This competitive marketplace and the complexities of PBM pricing strategies can turn a buyers market situation into a buyer beware situation.

by Michael Hajdun
Senior Vice President
CBCA Rx

With increasing attention on prescription drug programs, expenditures and coverage, focus on cost control measures, as part of an overall drug program, has heightened. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s) play a central role in prescription drug plans, including claims processing and program administration. As industry experts, PBM’s have experience in developing and implementing various strategies and techniques to control costs.

Coalition America, Inc. (CAI) is pleased to announce that its two founders, Scott and Sean Smith, have been recognized by Catalyst Magazine and Grant Thornton as two of their Top 50 Entrepreneurs for 2006.