PBM Reports Rising Number of high-cost Drug Regimens

The number of Americans taking a cornucopia of pharmaceuticals for complex medical problems skyrocketed last year, according to the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager. Express Scripts reported Wednesday that it saw the number of patients claiming $50,000 or more in annual drug costs rise 63.6% from 352,000 in 2013 to 576,000 last year. The number of patients taking at least $100,000 worth of medications almost tripled, increasing from 47,000 to 139,000. The patients in that top category -- $100,000 or more in pharmaceuticals per year -- are often taking at least 10 different medic...