PBMS Let the battle commence… CVS and Cigna’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Caremark and Express Scripts, respectively, are suing Arkansas after the state signed a bill on April 16 that would ban vertical integration between PBMs and pharmacies. The companies filed two separate lawsuits on May 29, claiming the Arkansas law is unconstitutional and “unenforceable.” In other words, companies that own PBMs (which negotiate medication prices between drug manufacturers and pharmacies) cannot also operate pharmacies in the Natural State starting Jan. 1, 2026. This is a problem since the three largest PBMs all own pharmacies. As a result of the bill, CVS threatened to close its 23 retail pharmacies in Arkansas, which the healthcare giant said would reduce patients’ access to medications. CVS serves about 340,000 patients in the state, according to the Arkansas Times. Cigna also claimed the law “will likely force some retail pharmacies to close” in a press release on May 29. Get the latest update on the PBM situation here.—CM | | |
|
|
together with Indeed - Careers in Care Healthcare professionals work to keep our communities healthy, and that’s no small task. Indeed agrees. That’s why they created Careers in Care: Off the Clock, a three-day event in NYC for healthcare pros to relax, unwind, and connect with like-minded peers. Step away from the daily hustle and treat yourself for a change. And when you enter, you’ll get a chance to win all-expense-paid access to the NYC event, courtesy of Indeed. Enjoy a Midtown stay, expert panels, hands-on wellbeing workshops, and new connections at Off the Clock. Learn more here—and thank you, for all that you do. Terms and conditions apply. For Official Rules and Eligibility, click here. |
|
CYBERSECURITY There’s a cybersecurity problem breathing down the healthcare industry’s neck. On April 7, Baxter Healthcare pulled all 4,100+ Welch Allyn Life2000 ventilators due to severe cybersecurity concerns. The FDA labeled this a Class I recall, meaning these issues threatened patients’ lives, though the agency hasn’t reported any injuries or deaths. Naomi Schwartz, a former FDA employee and VP of services for MedCrypt, a cybersecurity firm for medical device manufacturers, told Healthcare Brew this recall should be a lesson for the medical technology industry. This is one of several device recalls in recent years prompted by cybersecurity concerns, and in her opinion, Baxter did the right thing fast. The global medtech company first flagged these weaknesses in November, noting that there hadn’t been any hacks up to that point. An April market removal is a relatively short turnaround, she added. An expert shares what medtech can learn from the recall.—CC | | |
|
|
IPO Cue Diana Ross, as San Francisco-based virtual health provider Omada Health is “coming out” as a public company. The company debuted on June 6, ending the day at $19 per 7.9 million shares. But the next morning its stock rose to $23 per share, a 21% jump that the company is touting alongside a $150 million fundraise following its IPO. Reuters now values the company at just under $1.3 billion, up from $1.1 billion before going public, according to Business Insider. Omada works to support patients with diabetes, hypertension, prediabetes, and musculoskeletal issues. In 2023, it launched a GLP-1 program for patients with obesity. On May 20, the company also announced a new AI agent called OmadaSpark, which will provide patients with nutrition education, support, and care for healthy eating. More on Omada Health here.—CM | | |
|
|
Together With Cytonics Biotech booms in an unstable market. Despite the economic downturn, advances in osteoarthritis are on the up and up. Cytonics advancement in a breakthrough OA treatment has the potential to reverse joint degradation—something no drug could do previously. Join over 6,000 investors in backing this biotech innovator. |
|
VITAL SIGNS Today’s top healthcare reads. Stat: 7.8 million. That’s how many people could lose health insurance through Medicaid under the House’s budget bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office. (Healthcare Dive) Quote: “And that’s why we want you to call us, even if you’re calling just to say: ‘I’m scared. I need to hear somebody tell me that what’s going on right now is normal, and it’s OK.’”—Debra Lynch, a Delaware-based nurse practitioner who prescribes abortion medicine, on how she’s helping patients in states with abortion bans receive care (the New York Times) Read: Seattle residents mourn the loss of beloved pharmacy chain Bartell Drugs following parent company Rite Aid’s bankruptcy and as independent pharmacies struggle. (the Seattle Times) Clock out: Indeed’s Off the Clock is a three-day event in NYC for healthcare pros to relax, unwind, and connect. Enter for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip. Terms and conditions apply.* *A message from our sponsor. |
|
|
The Human Genome Project revolutionized medicine—enabling faster cancer detection, pediatric disease diagnosis, and groundbreaking drug development. With genome sequencing becoming cheaper and quicker, personalized treatments are within reach. The future of healthcare lies in unlocking genetic data to transform diagnosis, therapies, and drug discovery like never before. Check it out |
|
|
|
ADVERTISE // CAREERS // SHOP // FAQ
Update your email preferences or unsubscribe .
View our privacy policy .
Copyright © 2025 Morning Brew Inc. All rights reserved.
22 W 19th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011 |
|
