title: The evolving role of pharmacy benefits management firms in a managed care environment.
abstract: The next five to seven years will see a major shake-up in the pharmacy benefits management industry. A highly competitive race is underway between independent, retail pharmacy chain-sponsored and pharmaceutical manufacturer-controlled PBMs to see who will develop and monitor prescription drug efficacy protocols that reduce the total costs associated with an episode of illness.
authors.affiliation: California Medical Reviews, Inc., USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D016527:Drug Costs; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D004465:Economic Competition; D017050:Episode of Care; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010067:Ownership; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States