Top 5 Videos of 2025 Focus Primarily on PBM Reform

In 2025, the talks for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform only increased. Pharmacists were also interested in suzetrigine, the first new class of acute pain medication in over 20 years, and utilizing digital health tools.

Check out our 5 most watched videos from 2025.

The 3 Types of PBM Reform Aiming to Change the Pharmaceutical Market

Antonio Ciaccia, president of 3 Axis Advisors and CEO of 46brooklyn Research, outlines 3 primary "buckets" of PBM reform: legislation, litigation, and market-based solutions. Although legislative reform often faces hurdles and delays at the federal level, Ciaccia explains that all 3 avenues serve as critical catalysts for changing the way prescription drugs are distributed and reimbursed in the United States. Litigation, such as the Federal Trade Commission's scrutiny into "middlemen" practices, and market-based disruption from companies like CVS and OptumRx—who are introducing new cost-oriented reimbursement models—are applying significant pressure to the traditional PBM landscape. Ultimately, Ciaccia suggests that while no single method is a guaranteed fix, the combined pressure from these 3 areas is forcing the industry to evolve toward greater transparency and improved access to medications.

PBM Reform Delays Continue to Negatively Impact Pharmacies | AAP 2025

At the American Associated Pharmacies (AAP) 2025 Annual Conference, Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), highlighted the critical toll that ongoing legislative delays are taking on independent pharmacies. Despite repeated promises from Congress to reform PBM practices, a lack of federal action has contributed to a surge in pharmacy closures, with over 300 locations shutting down since late 2024. Hoey emphasized that the community pharmacy industry has reached a breaking point, noting that patient access is suffering and drug prices continue to rise while legislative progress remains stalled.

“We are beyond impatient,” Hoey said. “We want to be polite to a certain extent, but we’re almost beyond politeness. [PBM reform] hasn’t been done. Pharmacies are closing. Patients are suffering. Prices are going up. And Congress continues to sit on its hands. Am I optimistic? Yes. Am I done waiting? Yes.”

What Recent PBM Updates Mean for Pharmacy in 2025 | NCPDP 2025

At the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) 2025 Annual Conference, legal experts Cami Agena and Candida Ruesga from The Phoenix Law Group discussed the evolving landscape of PBM reform. Although federal efforts have seen significant bipartisan support but limited legislative success, state governments have become the primary drivers of change. The attorneys pointed to recent state-level actions, such as Arkansas's ban on the joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies, as pivotal examples of how local regulations are beginning to curtail the industry's immense control over the pharmaceutical market. Looking forward, the experts highlighted that transparency remains a central theme in both proposed federal bills and emerging state laws, as stakeholders push for more clarity in drug pricing and reimbursement.

What Pharmacists Need to Know About Suzetrigine for Pain Management

In 2025, the FDA approved suzetrigine (Journavx), the first new class of acute pain medication in over 20 years. As a selective NaV1.8 inhibitor, it blocks pain signals in peripheral nerves before they reach the brain. Because it avoids the central nervous system, it lacks the addictive potential of opioids. Pharmacists should note that suzetrigine is metabolized by CYP3A4, making it incompatible with certain inhibitors. It also requires alternative contraception for patients on specific progestins. Although more expensive than generic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at approximately $30 daily, suzetrigine offers a powerful, nonaddictive option for multimodal pain management strategies.

“It’s exciting to have another analgesic option available in the acute pain space,” Irwin said. “Right now, we have acetaminophen, NSAIDs, opioids, and local anesthetics like lidocaine. Each of those have their own risks and limitations of use based on a patient's renal and hepatic function and other comorbidities. This expands that arsenal. It seems to be pretty well tolerated, and that is always good to see in terms of a side effect and safety profile.”

Pharmacists Can Act as Navigators for Patients Using Digital Health Tools

In an interview with Drug Topics, George Van Antwerp, MBA, of Prime Therapeutics, discusses how pharmacists are uniquely positioned to serve as digital health navigators. As telemedicine, wearable devices, and mobile health apps become standard in care, many patients struggle to understand their benefits or select the right tools from digital formularies. Van Antwerp highlights that because pharmacists already manage complex medication-driven conditions, they can assess a patient’s specific needs and match them with appropriate, evidence-based digital solutions. Beyond individual patient care, Van Antwerp emphasizes that pharmacists can help bridge health equity gaps, ensuring those in lower-access areas benefit from digital advancements. Ultimately, this evolving role allows pharmacists to transition from traditional dispensers to clinical specialists who integrate technology into long-term disease management and improved patient outcomes.