Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers the Problem?

Featured Speaker: Jeff Mason, M.D., M.H.A., FACP

This lecture will provide an overview of the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) industry, including its origins, development and current impact on drug costs, availability and new drug research. PBMs play a major role in making drugs available to Americans, both those with private health insurance and those with government insurance. PBMs function as intermediaries between pharmacies, payors, pharmaceutical manufacturers and drug wholesalers. They operate by providing five key functions: formulary design, utilization management, price negotiation, pharmacy network development and mail-order pharmacy.

Presenter Biography

Jeff Mason has more than 30 years’ experience as a practicing physician. He most recently served as Senior Medical Director for UnitedHealthcare in California. He served as the Chief Medical Officer with overall responsibility for quality and utilization of commercial and Medicare products. Mason is a graduate of New York Medical College and a fellow of the American Academy of Physicians. He earned his Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado.

Coordinator: Paul Michelson