Catherwood LibraryILR School

Analysts report an unexpected $26-billion hostile bid Monday to acquire Caremark Rx Inc., one of the largest managers of employee drug benefits, by Express Scripts Inc. could lead to lower drug prices for employers and their workers. Consolidation among pharmacy benefit companies could give the combined company greater power to negotiate lower drug prices and pass along more of the savings, analysts said. Critics say, however, that there's no guarantee that the companies would pass along any savings in drug benefits employers and thus workers.