A primer on brand-name prescription drug reimbursement in the United States

Branded prescription drug reimbursement in the United States is complex and comprises multiple transactions among the parties involved in the drug supply chain, including manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, health care providers, health plans or insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and patients. This primer provides an overview of the parties involved in the reimbursement of brand-name drugs under both the pharmacy and medical benefits of an insurance policy and the flow of products and payments among them.