Express Scripts Holding, a pharmacy benefit manager and specialty pharmacy that negotiates drug prices for 85 million people, plans to expand its full network offerings to "pharmacies predominantly engaged in mail-order practice," according to a notification sent to pharmacies.
Here are five things to know:
1. Express Scripts said the decision to open its network of offerings to mail-order pharmacies is to evolve with industry trends and better meet the needs of its members and sponsors.
2. The powerful PBM, which is merging with Cigna, may open the door to contracting with any mail order pharmacy, including PillPack, which was acquired by Amazon earlier this year.
3. Express Scripts has a large mail-order drug business, representing nearly half of its revenue in fiscal year 2017.
4. The PBM has been sued for limiting its network and excluding other mail-order pharmacies from it.
5. Express Scripts will contact eligible pharmacies over the next few months to initiate a mail order credentialing application and contracting.