Beginning October 1, 2016 OptumRx, one of the nations largest Prescription Benefits Managers, is poised to require all it's pharmacy network members to purchase anything submitted for reimbursement from a VAWD Accredited Wholesaler or face rejection of the claim.

VAWD is a program of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, requirements of which essentially parallel state and federal requirements already in place. Wholesalers in most states are already subject to inspection by state and/or federal regulators to ensure compliance with these measures.

If this policy is allowed to be put in place it will undoubtedly raise prices at the wholesale level as suppliers take on the burden of more onerous compliance. Further, it will likely impair patient access to drugs, and most certainly will have a negative impact on any independent pharmacy, whether they serve OptumRx subscribers or not.

View a press release with more information here: http://www.fiveriversrx.com/single-post/2016/08/15...