HealthPolitics

STAT+: House lawmaker probes PBMs for ‘punitive’ audits of independent pharmacies

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 27/10/2026, 06:36:25 UTC.

Briefings

A House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform lawmaker investigated pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for punitive audits targeting independent pharmacies. James Comer, R-Ky., led the probe after the three largest PBMs supported a bill requiring them to adjust payments to retailers. The investigation focused on whether audits were retaliatory for the bill's passage, with Comer citing a reported surge in audits following the legislation's introduction.

Key points

• James Comer, R-Ky., heads the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and led an investigation into PBM audits.
• The three largest pharmacy benefit managers (CVS Caremark, OptumRx, Express Scripts) supported a bill requiring them to adjust payments to independent pharmacies.

Context

The investigation stems from the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, a bipartisan bill introduced last year that would require PBMs participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to fairly reimburse pharmacies for actual medicine costs and pay dispensing fees. Comer's probe occurred late last week following the bill's introduction.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to Comer's letters to the three largest PBMs. Specific audit counts, dates of the audits, or the full scope of the bill's impact on smaller pharmacies are not detailed in the provided text.

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