Congressional Committee Launches Investigation of Big Three PBMs’ Business Practices

A little more than a year after Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), then-ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, released a report on PBMs’ business practices and their negative impact on drug prices, patients’ health and market competition, the now-Chairman Comer revealed that he is launching an investigation into those practices. The move continues to keep pressure on the entities over some of their practices and lack of transparency amid concerns around prescription drug prices.

On March 1, Comer sent letters to senior officials at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Defense Health Agency (DHA) and CMS, as well as to the three largest PBMs — Cigna Corp.’s Express Scripts, CVS Health Corp.’s Caremark and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx — requesting a trove of documents and communications.