• Pharmacy industry

  • Sources:

    Discussions about the pharmacy industry often focus on several key topics, including the influence of pharmaceutical companies, the role and practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and the complexity of the drug supply chain. Here are some insights from trusted experts:

    1. Influence of Pharmaceutical Companies:

      • Joel Lexchin emphasizes how pharmaceutical companies impact research outcomes and prescribing patterns in healthcare. He discusses the need for critical examination of the industry’s influence while avoiding conspiracy theories that can lead to harmful alternatives 1.
    2. Role of PBMs:

    3. Complexity of the Drug Supply Chain:

      • Adam Fein explains the "drug channel," involving various stakeholders from manufacturers to PBMs, highlighting the complexity and lack of direct consumer involvement in pricing negotiations 5.
      • David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert outline the multiple layers of intermediaries involved in the US pharmaceutical market, which complicates the pricing and actual cost of drugs for consumers 6.

    These insights capture the challenges and intricacies of the pharmacy industry, from corporate influence to the opaque and complicated nature of drug distribution and pricing.

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