Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8904

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Collins TM.
Third-party pay: what it's all about
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 1970 Dec; 34:789-794

Abstract:

Third-party payment plans for prescriptions, and some of the legislative proposals dealing with this subject, which have been introduced in Congress, are discussed. Three bills, the Long Bill, the King Bill and the Montoya Bill, all have similar proposals. Each would empower the secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to establish a national (federal) formulary, give the secretary the authority to decide what medicines can be used when government reimbursement is involved and third, the bills would establish a #OQ#OQreasonable price range’‘ or maximum allowable cost for medicines appearing in the formulary. As Congress ponders new and rejuvenated drug payment proposals, community pharmacists, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, have a major stake in any legislation ultimately enacted. In the final analysis, however, the third-party plans of the future must be the concern of all those who are involved in the health care of the American people.