PBMs have historically positioned themselves as drug-industry antagonists, pushing generic substitution and aggressively driving prices lower. But now one independent PBM is arguing that far from being in the enemy camp, branded pharmaceuticals, even high cost ones, can actually contribute to reducing overall medical costs by lowering spending in other areas. And they're developing the data to prove it.

Most drug companies have experienced managed care as an unrelenting force for price discounts and profit erosion. But all along, managed care has also held out the promise of demonstrating that drug therapies, even expensive ones, can reduce health care costs by saving money on other medical expenditures.