Who has the best drug program?WSJ

May 4, 2009
The biggest USA retailer Wal-Mart steps up the competition over managing benefits for employees by expanding a prescription- drug program for companies. Wal-Mart offers less-expensive and easier way to manage drug plans but only if they sign up to buy directly from the Wal-Mart. The big Wal-Mart’s competitor Walgreen Co. creates a health-care program and checkups at a Walgreens Health-care centers, including big companies such as Disney and Toyota Motor Corp. This was very smart move for Walgreens. Also, CVS Caremark Corp purchased part of the PBM Caremark worth $27 billion in 2007. PBM has contract with federal and state government for their drug coverage that includes choosing which drug will be covered and how much they will costs employers and patient. CVS thinks that this partnership with PBM will make company more profitable and efficient by giving them opportunity to lower costs for employers. Wal -mart said that their clients can save more than PBM’s clients.PBM did’t want to comment their pricing policies. Walgreens hopes they will appeal to their customers as well with new pricing structure. What to say about this? We just need to wait to see what will happen.