Long-Awaited Proposal Calls For Upending Drug-Rebate System

HHS’ proposal to ban drug rebates, unless they’re shared directly with seniors at the pharmacy counter, would significantly lower out-of-pocket retail-drug spending for the minority of seniors on expensive drugs, but it would raise premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries. Part of the administration’s plan is set to take effect in a year, but an anticipated legal challenge by pharmacy benefit managers could delay implementation. The rule that HHS proposed Thursday (Jan. 31) would upend the rebate system. It would ban...