URAC opens draft PBM standards for comment

WASHINGTON--Employers, consumers, purchasers, providers, regulators and the pharmacy benefit management industry are invited to comment on the first accreditation standards for PBMs proposed by URAC.

The goal of the standards, introduced Tuesday by the Washington-based health care accreditation and certification organization, is to create an accreditation program for PBMs that promotes best industry practices, encourages improvements in quality, and protects and empowers health care consumers.

The initial set of standards is designed for the commercially insured population. Proposed standards for the Medicare population are slated to be released in January.

"The pharmacy benefits management industry recognizes that this is the right time for industrywide standards," said John D. Jones, chairman of URAC's Pharmacy Benefit Management Advisory Committee, which developed the PBM accreditation program. Mr. Jones also is vp of government affairs and pharmacy policy for Prescription Solutions, a unit of PacifiCare in Cypress, Calif.

The draft standards are available for review at www.urac.org. The deadline for public comments is Dec. 1.