When you see the word specialty drug, it usually just means expensive, and [pharmacy benefit managers] are just steering the profitable medications to their own pharmacies, D Angelo said.
PBMs such as Optum have their own specialty pharmacies, and by locking patients into mail orders, patients are unable to obtain those drugs at the independent or mom-and-pop pharmacy of their choice, even though the location would be capable of filling that prescription, he said. They re trying to keep all of the revenue within their system, he added.
Bill sponsor Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner, who serves a district in the Bronx, said the legislation protects consumers ability to choose how they want to receive their prescription medications whether in-store or by mail.
Although independent pharmacists in New York lauded the development, pharmacy benefit managers said the bill would increase costs for employers and patients and compromise patient safety.