The Facts About Express Scripts
As a leading pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), Express Scripts manages pharmacy services and lowers drug spend for health plans, employers, labor unions and government agencies. Each year, Express Scripts saves approximately $32 billion1 for the nearly 100 million Americans and thousands of clients we serve—who choose Express Scripts for our proven track record of delivering significant savings and better clinical outcomes.
1. Average annual savings generated from client participation in Express Scripts’ cost-containment programs over the reporting periods 2018-2021
Express Scripts lowers the cost
of prescription drugs in four ways:
We create safe, affordable access to medications across our network of nearly 64,000 pharmacies—all within 15 minutes of a person’s home or through home delivery in all 50 states
We negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers who set the price of prescription drugs—driving competition to deliver lower net costs for clients and consumers
We support clients on the creation of formularies—or lists of drugs—that include safe, effective and affordable medications for their covered populations
We provide clinical expertise and programs that help people get and stay on the medications they need—preventing disease progression and helping people live their healthiest lives
Key Topics
Find detailed information about how Express Scripts works, how we add value and how we ensure transparency with all stakeholders.
Express Scripts fights to ensure clients and consumers have access to safe, effective and affordable medications and life-sustaining or life-saving therapies.
Express Scripts, and other PBMs, are essential partners across the drug supply chain—helping drive down drug spend and improve medication access for clients and customers.
Studies and analyses clearly show drug price increases are not caused by PBMs like Express Scripts.
PBMs use generic and biosimilar competition to accelerate lower drug costs
Rebates are just one tool to lower drug costs—in direct response to skyrocketing prices set by big pharmaceutical companies.
Express Scripts builds industry-leading, clinical-first formularies that equal greater value.
PBMs build networks of pharmacies to provide consumers convenient access to prescriptions at discounted rates.
Express Scripts negotiates discounts with retail pharmacies and other providers
In a pass through pricing model, the client chooses to pay the exact discounted value that Express Scripts negotiates.
Breaking Down the Pass Through Pricing Model
Express Scripts receives fees from clients for PBM administrative services.
A prescription doesn’t work if it is priced out of reach for consumers
A group purchasing organization combines purchasing volume to achieve discounts
Services to support patients and caregivers navigating complex and chronic conditions.
HDHPs are growing in popularity among plan sponsors and participants