The report also reveals which pharmacies are profiting from the expensive specialty medications that treat such illnesses as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and hepatitis C. “Such companies as Express Scripts, UnitedHealth, Catamaran, Humana, and Prime Therapeutics operate some of the biggest specialty pharmacies,” Fein adds. Hospitals, physicians, and independent companies like Diplomat Pharmacy are vying for position in the booming specialty drug market.”

These are among the findings in the institute's 2014-15 Economic Report on Retail, Mail, and Specialty Pharmacies, the sixth edition of this analysis.

“The U.S. will soon reach peak generic substation rates,” Fein says. “Retail pharmacies are competing away their generic prescription margins by offering discount programs, competing with mail pharmacies for 90-day prescriptions, and joining payers’ narrow networks.”

Drug Channels Institute is a division of Pembroke Consulting Inc.

Source: Drug Channels Institute