KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — CVS is working to block a state bill which would prevent pharmacies from being owned by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which are essentially the middleman in any transaction between an insurance company and a pharmacy.
CVS is part of the same company with Caremark, a PBM, and some pharmacists say this conflict of interest is already hurting small businesses and patients.
Tennessee bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers sparks fight with CVS
Matt Windham is the co-owner of Belew Drugs Store and a pharmacist. He said not all patients get to choose their pharmacy.
“They had medication transferred,” said Matt Windham of Belew Pharmacy. “The copay was different than it was at CVS, and it was significantly more at our store versus CVS.”…