Lawmakers Target Health Conglomerates and Drug Middlemen for Reform

The article discusses the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the rising costs of prescription drugs in the U.S., highlighting their consolidation with major insurance companies and the lack of transparency in their operations. Critics argue that PBMs inflate drug prices and limit access to affordable medications, contributing to a healthcare crisis where many Americans cannot afford necessary prescriptions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against major PBMs for anti-competitive practices, and bipartisan legislation has been introduced to break up their monopolistic control over the pharmacy supply chain.