HHS Proposes Rule: Ending Certain Drug Rebates
On Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General released a proposed rule that effectively eliminates certain drug rebates. This move is the latest of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce prescription drug costs and increase transparency.
What is included in the rule?
As previously mentioned, the proposed rule would eliminate the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) safe harbor protection for certain drug rebates. The affected rebates are paid by drug manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers (PMBs), as well as to Medicare Part D and Medicaid managed care plans, when they agree to exclusively cover or favor a specific drug in a prescription drug plan. The proposed rule would leave PBMs and manufacturers who participate in this behavior open to legal action.
Additionally, the proposed rule would create two new safe harbors for both PBM fees that are charged to manufacturers and for point-of-sale drug discounts offered to patients.
How would this proposed rule change the market?
Under the current protections, PBMs and drug manufacturers can enter rebate agreements to favor or exclusively cover certain drugs in a prescription drug plan.
Alex Azar, HHS secretary, said that “this proposal has the potential to be the most significant change in how Americans’ drugs are priced at the pharmacy counter, ever, and finally ease the burden of the sticker shock that millions of Americans experience every month for the drugs they need.”
Further, the administration hopes that the elimination of the AKS safe harbor will encourage out-of-pocket savings for consumers and reduce the incentive for drug manufacturers and PBMs to increase drug list prices.
What’s next?
For 60 days following the proposed rule’s publication, the public can submit their comments on the rule. For instructions on how you can submit your comment, click here.
We will continue to monitor the developments of the proposed rule and will provide updates as necessary.
The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2019 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.