Cigna Corp’s Express Scripts settles with the U.S. FTC over insulin pricing practices, aiming to lower costs for patients, insurers, and small pharmacies. The agreement could save patients up to $7 billion over a decade, with restrictions on practices like pocketing rebates from drugmakers based on list prices.

The Trump administration continues its push to lower drug costs, securing agreements with pharmaceutical companies to slash prices. The settlement with Express Scripts aligns with this goal, part of an ongoing case against Optum and CVS Caremark. Pharmacy benefit managers face scrutiny over pricing practices, with reforms underway.

Express Scripts’ 10-year agreement restricts practices contributing to high costs, like pocketing rebates. The FTC estimates the deal could save patients billions, enforcing changes at Express Scripts and monitoring compliance for three years. The company must work with local pharmacies and disclose drug costs annually.

The FTC accuses pharmacy benefit managers of steering insurers and patients to higher-priced drugs. Express Scripts’ settlement includes provisions to work with local pharmacies and disclose drug costs to employers annually. As part of the deal, Ascent Health Services, Express Scripts’ rebate aggregator, will move to the U.S.

Cigna’s insurance business focuses on managing plans for employers and groups, with the settlement requiring direct-to-consumer drug purchases through the TrumpRX platform to count against copays and deductibles in the standard plan. CVS, UnitedHealth, and Cigna have shifted to new pricing models to show more transparency in drug costs and fees.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Exclusive-Cigna settles FTC insulin case, commits to overhauling drug pricing