Pharmacy industry

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:

   • Power and Influence: Liz Tung discusses the immense power and influence of PBMs over pharmacies, both independent and large chains, highlighting issues like clawbacks and the lack of transparency in their practices 2.
   • Economic Impact: AJ Loiacono explains how PBMs created a pay-to-play economic scenario through formularies and rebate dollars, leading to a highly profitable yet non-innovative market 3.
     • 

       1

       Pharma's Influence Unveiled

       00:03:06
     • 

       2

       Power of PBMs

       00:41:54
     • 

       3

       Controlling the Pharmaceutical Industry

       00:54:29
       
     • 

       4

       The PBM Problem

       01:18:08
       
     • 

       5

       Drug Channel Dynamics

       00:00:00
     • 

       6

       The Complex Pharma Value Chain

       01:22:50
   • Need for Transparency: AJ Loiacono further details how a transparent pricing model and public ledger could address the complexities and lack of clear pricing in the drug market 4.

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.