A number of states have since 2017 passed laws regulating pharmacy benefit managers – the contractors who negotiate discounted drug coverage for insurance plans, but who rarely reveal what level of discount they actually pass on to consumers.
Experts expect that activity to continue, especially as escalating drug prices show little sign of letting up.
“The states are going to keep trying and experimenting,” Ms. Sachs added. “This is a problem that isn’t going away.”
Even efforts such as Maryland’s – which targeted price-gouging – will likely remain at the forefront.