In the news today: CVS Chosen for $1 Billion Contract to Manage Pharmacy Benefits.I'm sure the folks in Wooksocket are breathing a sigh of relief ("Whoa.") after November's unexpected contract losses, although this win doesn't "prove" the benefit of a combined PBM-pharmacy chain model. (See CVS Caremark: Pharmacy Gain, PBM Pain.)
Note that Caremark has provided PBM services to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas for at least 5 years.
Nevertheless, Texas pharmacist's ratcheted up the anti-CVS rheteoric in an all-out smear campaign against this contract renewal. Check out the tone of this Texas Pharmacy Business Council's Pharm Phlash, which claimed that the TRS Board of Trustees "will be rubber-stamping a major contract that could have serious negative consequences for retirees, taxpayers, and the independent community pharmacists who serve their retirees. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"
OK, I added that last part from Dr. Venkman, but it's not much of an exaggeration..
Just my $0.02, but the pharmacist's mud-slinging seems driven more by their own personal business issues than a selfless devotion to taxpayers. I expect even shriller and more strident comments from pharmacy owners given the industry's likely evolution over the next few years.