Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

Which organization manages prescription drug benefits for clients?

1. Specialty Pharmacy

2. Mail Order Pharmacy

3. Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)

4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The correct answer is: Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)

The correct answer is Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM). PBMs play a crucial role in managing prescription drug benefits for clients, including insurance companies, employers, and other organizations. They serve as intermediaries between healthcare providers, patients, and drug manufacturers, facilitating the processing of prescriptions and ensuring that clients receive medications at the best possible costs. PBMs negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to establish prescription drug pricing and create formularies, which are lists of covered medications. By doing this, they help control drug expenditures and manage the use of medications, thus optimizing the benefits provided to clients. Additionally, PBMs implement programs to promote cost-effective medication use, such as prior authorization and step therapy. In contrast, specialty pharmacies focus on managing and dispensing high-cost, complex medications for chronic conditions, while mail order pharmacies specifically deliver prescription medications to patients via postal service. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating drugs and ensuring their safety and efficacy but does not manage drug benefits directly. Therefore, Pharmacy Benefit Management is the organization specifically designed to manage prescription drug benefits for clients.