Philidor Rx Services

Philidor Rx Services was a pharmacy services managing company that played a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry before its closure in 2015. The company specialized in the distribution and management of prescription medications, particularly for specialty drugs that treat complex or chronic conditions. Philidor Rx Services became widely known due to its controversial business practices and its close relationship with Valeant Pharmaceuticals, a large Canadian pharmaceutical company.

History

Philidor Rx Services was established with the aim of providing comprehensive pharmacy services, including the distribution of prescription medications and management of insurance claims for patients. The company quickly grew in prominence within the pharmaceutical industry due to its innovative approach to pharmacy services and its strategic partnership with Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

Business Model

The business model of Philidor Rx Services was centered around maximizing the insurance reimbursements for prescription medications. The company employed a variety of strategies to ensure that patients could obtain Valeant's expensive dermatological and ophthalmological products, often by navigating through insurance hurdles or substituting Valeant products in place of generic alternatives without explicit consent from prescribing doctors.

Controversies

Philidor Rx Services came under scrutiny in 2015 when allegations surfaced about its business practices. Critics claimed that the company was involved in a scheme to inflate sales of Valeant Pharmaceuticals' products by manipulating insurance claim processes and engaging in deceptive practices to favor Valeant's drugs over cheaper alternatives. These allegations led to investigations by federal and state regulators.

Closure

The controversy surrounding Philidor Rx Services and its practices led to a significant backlash from the public, healthcare providers, and insurers. In response to the growing pressure and the loss of business partnerships, Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced the severance of all ties with Philidor Rx Services in October 2015. Shortly thereafter, Philidor Rx Services announced that it would cease operations.

Impact

The closure of Philidor Rx Services and the controversy surrounding its practices had a lasting impact on the pharmaceutical industry. It prompted a broader discussion about the ethics of pharmacy benefit management and the role of specialty pharmacies in the distribution of prescription medications. The scandal also contributed to a significant decline in Valeant Pharmaceuticals' market value and reputation.

See Also

• Pharmacy Benefit Manager
• Specialty Pharmacy
• Valeant Pharmaceuticals