Which pharmacies are owned by PBMs?

Asked by: Marguerite Hoeger  |  Last update: August 3, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (68 votes)

As of 2023, PBMs managed pharmacy benefits for 275 million Americans and the three largest PBMs in the US, CVS Caremark, Cigna Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group's Optum Rx, make up about 80% of the market share covering about 270 million people with a market of almost $600 billion in 2024.

Who are the 3 largest PBMs?

Regarding the 3 major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) significantly controlling the US drug supply chain—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—their concentration varied noticeably amongst commercial insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid managed care markets.

Who is the PBM for Walmart?

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capital Rx, the fastest-growing pharmacy benefit manager (“PBM”) in the U.S., announced today it is joining forces with Walmart to bring transparency of unit prices across specialty and mail order prescriptions through its Clearinghouse ModelSM in order to combat rising cost of prescription ...

Can a PBM own a pharmacy?

Many PBMs own their own mail-order pharmacies. These PBMs have suggested that they have greater control over the drugs dispensed through mail-order pharmacies and, therefore, can provide greater formulary compliance. maximizes competition and results in lower prescription drug prices for its plan sponsor members.

What pharmacies are owned by PBM?

As of 2023, PBMs managed pharmacy benefits for 275 million Americans and the three largest PBMs in the US, CVS Caremark, Cigna Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group's Optum Rx, make up about 80% of the market share covering about 270 million people with a market of almost $600 billion in 2024.

How pharmacy benefit managers influence drug pricing

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What is the PBM controversy?

The PBMs' Chase-the-Rebate Strategy Reduced Patients' Access to Lower List Priced Insulins, the FTC Alleges. Insulin list prices started rising in 2012 with the PBMs' creation of exclusionary drug formularies, the FTC's complaint alleges. Before 2012, formularies used to be more open, covering many drugs.

Who owns CVS?

CVS Health Corporation is an American for-profit healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain; CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefits manager; and Aetna, a health insurance provider, among many other brands. The company is the world's second largest healthcare company, behind UnitedHealth Group.

What are 10 star pharmacists?

'10 Star Pharmacist Concept', which is an extention of the “Seven-Star Pharmacist” introduced by WHO (World Health Organization) in 2014, focuses on the following Roles or the Pharmacists: Pharmaceutical Caregiver, Researcher, Manager, Communicator, Leader, Life-Long Learner, Decision-Maker, Entrepreneur, Teacher, ...

What PBM owns Walgreens?

Walgreens Boots Alliance has officially launched its new specialty pharmacy and prescription mail services company with pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics, a PBM owned by 14 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

Does Amazon own a PBM?

And all three of these larger PBMs are now touting their ability to manage all aspects of their clients' prescription costs, including specialized prescriptions for complex conditions. Neither Amazon nor Cuban's venture own or operate specialty pharmacies.

Who is the PBM of Aetna?

How do I become a participating provider to service Aetna members? CVS Caremark® is the pharmacy benefits administrator for Aetna Pharmacy Network. In order to service Aetna members, you will need to be a participating provider with CVS Caremark.

Is GoodRx a PBM?

Traditionally, the GoodRx business has operated exclusively in partnership with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide pricing to consumers.

Who owns Express Scripts now?

On March 7, 2018, it was announced that Cigna would buy Express Scripts in a $67 billion deal. The deal closed on December 20, 2018 at $54 billion, allowing Cigna to start offering new Express Scripts products to its corporate health insurance customers in 2019.

Why do pharmacies use PBMs?

The basic services PBMs provide include: Negotiate discounts off prices set by drug manufacturers. Creating and administering retail pharmacy networks. Helping members understand the best use of pharmacy benefits.

Why is CVS closing?

“We are at a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable,” Wentworth said in June. CVS, the largest US chain, closed 244 stores between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, it announced plans to close an additional 900 stores. Earlier this month, CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 jobs corporate jobs.

What pharmacy did Walgreens merge with?

Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock will trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol WBA. The new global enterprise combines Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the USA; Boots, the market leader in European retail pharmacy; and Alliance Healthcare, the leading international wholesaler and distributor.

Is Aetna owned by CVS?

Aetna® is proud to be part of the CVS Health family.

Why is Walgreens shutting down?

The thinning of Walgreens locations has been in the works. Walgreens said in October 2024 it planned to close about 1,200 underperforming stores across the U.S. as a strategy to offset declining profits resulting from low drug reimbursement rates and sluggish retail sales.

Who bought Rite Aid?

Walgreens Boots Alliance. "Walgreens Boots Alliance to Acquire Rite Aid for $17.2 Billion in All-Cash Transaction." Forbes.

Does Walmart own CVS?

CVS is owned by CVS Health Payor Solutions, founded in Massachusetts in 1963, now headquartered in Rhode Island. Walmart is owned by Walmart Corporation, founded in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 by Sam and Bud Walton. CVS and Walmart are not now nor ever have been affiliated with each other.

What are the top 3 PBM companies?

The analysis lists national-level shares of the 10 largest PBMs. It finds that: The four largest PBMs collectively have a 70% share of the national PBM market. CVS Health is the largest PBM (21.3% market share), followed by OptumRx (20.8%), Express Scripts (17.1%), and Prime Therapeutics (10.3%).

What are PBMs and why are they bad?

PBMs have significant control over the revenues received by drug manufacturers and pharmacies, and they affect the prescription drug spending of insurers and employers. Financial conflicts between all of these players are to be expected.

How does GoodRx make money?

If It's Free, How Does GoodRx Make Money? Although GoodRx is a free service, the company sells its technology, as well as its monthly subscription service, called GoodRx Gold.