Express Scripts Cuts 48 Drugs from 2019 Formulary

Express Scripts pointed the finger squarely at drug manufacturers for the high cost of medicine in announcing the release of its 2019 national preferred formulary (NPF).

The 2019 NPF includes access to 3886 drugs for a total savings of $3.2 billion, according to Express Scripts. The pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) excluded 48 drugs from the NPF, of which 22 have low-cost generic alternatives, 12 have branded competition with drugs that have the same active ingredient but with a lower net cost, 11 specialty drugs with lower-cost or biosimilar alternatives, and 9 short-term treatments, such as topical creams and ophthalmic treatments.