Congress’ push to rein in drug costs will impact benefit strategies
New drug pricing proposals could reshape employer pharmacy strategy, as benefit managers struggle to navigate rising prescription costs.
Pharmaceuticals
GLP-1s and menopause benefits are here to stay — What it means for 2026 budgets
New research from EBN reveals how GLP-1s and menopause benefits are changing employee benefit strategies—and what employers must plan for next.
Exclusive research: Benefit leaders face a pharmacy cost crisis in 2026
Pharmacy cost management is one of the toughest challenges employers will face in 2026, according to new data from Employee Benefit News.
EBN’s Best of 2025: Leaders confront climbing healthcare costs
Benefit leaders found innovative and cost-effective ways to deal with increasing strain on their healthcare budgets.
Eli Lilly cuts costs for weight loss medications
The companies have been looking for ways to gain an edge through deals with the firms that control drug benefits.
US, UK announce deal on pharmaceutical tariffs and drug pricing
The U.S. agreed to exempt U.K. pharmaceutical products from tariffs.
Cigna will end drug rebates in many private health plans
The plan to eventually phase out rebates portends a seismic shift in the flow of billions of dollars among drugmakers, insurers and employers.
Preparing for open enrollment: Rx benefits redesign holds promise for cost control
Key to cost containment lies in partnering with transparent PBMs, a more thoughtful approach to prescribing GLP-1s and encouraging the uptake of biosimilars.
Web Seminar Get comfortable being uncomfortable: Take control of pharmacy management
It's unequivocally clear that pharmacy costs are a core concern for employers and HR leaders today, however they're uncertain how to overcome it. According to EBN's 2025 State of Pharmacy Management research, less than a quarter of benefits leaders strongly agree that they fully understand how prescriptions are paid for. HR leaders feel they have very little influence over pharmacy costs, and this lack of awareness is not helping their level of concern.
Coalition PBMs: Bigger isn’t always better
Without the right contractual terms in place, hidden costs may mar pooled purchasing power at the expense of employer clients.
UnitedHealth will reimburse pharmacies more for brand-name drugs
The incentives to encourage non-generic brands will encourage pharmacies to keep them in stock and increase their profits, says UnitedHealth's CEO.
Medicare cutting price of 64 drugs that outpaced inflation
President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act is expected to save taxpayers an estimated $237 billion over the next decade.
Podcast Giving birth, then back to work: Supporting reproductive rights
The co-founder of telemedicine platform Hey Jane explains why employers need to offer resources and benefits that address abortion care and support.
Benefits Think A 5-point checklist for CAA compliance on Rx fiduciary oversight
Definitive steps can be taken to strategically optimize pharmacy benefits in a way that balances cost with quality care.
Greg Sanderson
AlignRx
FTC examining shortages of cancer treatments and other drugs
Drug shortages have soared to a five-year peak as low profit margins discourage investment in generic manufacturing.
Benefits Think Lasting weight loss won’t come from the pharmacy alone
Pairing coverage with the highest quality behavior change support will put employers ahead of the curve
Dr. Tim Church
Wondr Health
Hundreds of drugmakers condemn Texas judge’s abortion pill order
In a joint open letter, executives said the ruling undermined the U.S. regulators authority.
CVS, Walmart, Walgreens reach $12 billion opioid settlement
The pharmacy chains were sued for allegedly failing to create legally mandated monitoring systems to detect illegitimate opioid prescriptions being filled.
Pharmacies face extra audit burdens that threaten their existence
Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, suspended in-person audits because of COVID last year, shifting to virtual audits, allowing benefit managers to review — and potentially deny — more pharmacy claims than ever before.
Benefits Think How a clinical management strategy can reduce pharmacy spend and improve employee health
For most employers, just 1% of their members are driving 40% or more of pharmacy benefits costs.
Bryan Statham
RxBenefits