Survey

Last month's survey results:

With the recent announcement of Medco's acquisition by Express Scripts, potentially bringing 2 of the nation's largest PBMs together, what do you see as the most significant implications of such consolidation for the industry?

a) Enhanced competition within the industry, inevitably translating to even lower drug costs for PBM payer clients. 1%

b) Unfair advantages for Express Scripts based upon its size, thus reducing competition and potentially increasing long-term costs for payers. 53%

c) Increased pressures on retail pharmacies forcing more pharmacies out of business. 44%

d) Increased quality of PBM clinical, analytic and administrative services across the industry, as other PBMs strive to stay competitive. 1%

e) Minimal, if any, impact. 1%

What is your health system’s oncology medication approval process?

a) We follow the CMS-approved compendia. If a medication is listed, it is approved. We do not follow any pathway.

b) We follow the CMS-approved compendia, but a medication is only approved when it follows a pathway.

c) We follow internal guidelines. No pathway is required.

d) We follow internal guidelines, with only specific pathways.

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