Which of the following is NOT a primary role of a PBM?

A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) primarily focuses on managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of health plans and employers, and the role of providing direct patient counseling does not fall within their core responsibilities. PBMs are primarily involved in the administration of pharmacy benefits, which includes tasks such as adjudicating online claims, maintaining a network of pharmacies, and offering drug utilization reviews.

Adjudicating online claims involves processing prescriptions through an electronic system to ensure timely reimbursement to pharmacies while managing cost and formulary adherence. Maintaining a network of pharmacies is crucial for PBMs as they negotiate agreements with pharmacies to provide medications at negotiated rates, ensuring accessibility for members. Offering drug utilization reviews helps to monitor prescription drug therapy for safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness, which is an essential aspect of managing drug benefits.

Direct patient counseling typically falls under the responsibilities of pharmacists or healthcare providers who interact with patients about their medication use, side effects, and overall health management, rather than the administrative focus of PBMs.