FTC & PBMs: So What?
Executive Summary
The FTC's August announcement of its settlement agreement with Merck/Medco Managed care outlined rules governing the PBM's relationaship with Merck & Co. Inc. The FTC's aggressive tone--which suggested that Medco acknowledged that past actions in promoting Merck drugs restricted competition and resulted in higher prices for some drugs--made the agreement seem like a victory for the FTC and upset Medco officials who concede no such things.