Who typically receives post-purchase manufacturer discounts?

• A. Patients
• B. Providers
• C. PBMs or plans
• D. Hospitals

Answer: (C)

Post-purchase manufacturer discounts are rebates that drug makers provide after a drug has been dispensed and paid for by the payer. These rebates are intended to reduce the net price the plan or its PBM ultimately pays for the drug. The typical recipients are the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or the plans themselves, since they administer the drug benefit and negotiate these rebates with manufacturers. Patients may see copays or use patient-assistance programs, but those are separate and don’t represent the post-purchase rebates that lower the payer’s cost. Hospitals or providers aren’t the usual recipients of these payer-level rebates.