Payers aim to rein in specialty drug spending

Due to the rising expenditures for cancer drugs and other high-priced medicines, employers, health plans and pharmacy-benefit managers are increasing efforts to rein in spending. To curb use, payers are pushing for legislation to permit the sale of cheaper versions of biotech drugs. They are also reinforcing rules about trying cheaper therapies first and early certification of patients' prescriptions. Some are even suggesting paying drug companies based on how well a drug works, rather than how much is used.