Scripius General Manager, Eric Cannon, has been featured in several interviews with Becker’s, renowned for Becker’s Hospital Review, over the past few months. In November 2024, he discussed transparency in a podcast, and in February 2025, he participated the below Q&A session about how a Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) connected to a health system can help clients save money and enhance customer experience. Later in February, he joined top executives, reaffirming Scripius’ dedication to transparent and ethical practices that support health systems, health plans, and large employer clients in their growth.
Explore all of Becker’s content featuring Dr. Cannon through the links provided above, and read the Q&A below to discover how Scripius’ affiliation with a health system offers unique expertise that helps clients save money while delivering an exceptional member experience.
*Questions edited for clarity and brevity.
Share about how Scripius serves health systems and health plans, including Intermountain Health?
Eric Cannon: Scripius performs PBM and Pharmacy Benefits Administration (PBA) services for several health plans and health care systems across the U.S., including Intermountain Health (Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah). Scripius collaborates with integrated health systems to develop solutions that improve patient outcomes. We are committed to reducing costs, providing complete transparency about the real costs of medications and providing access to necessary therapies. Through prescription insurance, coupons, copay assistance and innovative tools, we are working to ensure medications remain accessible and available at the lowest cost possible.
How long has Intermountain been using Scripius and what led to this transition of bringing pharmacy benefits in-house instead of outsourcing?
Eric Cannon: In 1998, Select Health, the integrated insurance arm of Intermountain Health, established its in-house PBM, now known as Scripius, to address the lack of transparency and high fees often found in the PBM industry. As an insurer, Select Health identified key gaps and issues within prescription services and sought to develop a solution to address these challenges. Scripius offers health systems tools to manage these services internally, reducing unnecessary costs and providing a more cost-effective and transparent solution for members and clients.
What are some of the primary factors that are leading clients, like Intermountain, to work with health system PBMs like Scripius?
Eric Cannon: More health systems are bringing PBM services in-house due to concerns about the lack of transparency and high costs associated with for-profit PBMs. By bringing PBM services in-house, this shift allows Scripius to offer better, customized, and transparent experiences for those we serve, and ensures patients and members receive the medications they need and can consider real costs when discussing treatment options with their provider.
In your experience, how does a PBM that is familiar with health systems impact the quality and cost-effectiveness of pharmacy services for patients and other clients?
Eric Cannon: Scripius leverages data-driven, advanced analytics and AI-based platforms to generate personalized savings recommendations for its members. We help health systems prioritize efficacy over rebates, ensuring drug coverage decisions benefit patients while maintaining the lowest net costs for clients.
Can you speak to the flexibility and control that comes with a health system-experienced PBM like Scripius compared to working with other options?
Eric Cannon: Scripius has complete control over its operations, allowing for tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of members and clients. In contrast to publicly traded PBMs or venture capital startups, which prioritize shareholder interests over customized and scalable solutions, an in-house PBM like Scripius is designed to support health systems in delivering personalized, high-quality care that meets patient needs. This distinction allows us to offer flexible solutions that are focused on positive patient outcomes.
What financial benefits do clients, including Intermountain, gain by using a health-system experienced PBM like Scripius?
Eric Cannon: Health systems benefit most from operational efficiencies through aligned formularies and streamlined processes. A health system can achieve this efficiency by maintaining a unified formulary (covered drug list) for its hospitals, clinics, and its health insurance arm, ensuring all covered medications are aligned. Additionally, close integration with electronic medical records and the ability to direct members to cost-effective pharmacy options (including in-house retail, mail-order and specialty pharmacies) ensure significant savings and convenience for members and clients while enhancing patient care.
How does Scripius ensure transparency in pricing and drug management for health systems, other clients, and their members?
Eric Cannon: Scripius safeguards transparency in pricing and drug management, and we can do that because we own our rebate and network contracts. Other PBMs rely on rebate aggregators, lease their pharmacy networks from the three largest PBMs, or offshore their operations. We provide clients with complete visibility of costs and savings, free from nondisclosure agreements or hidden fees. For health systems, this level of transparency is crucial as it ensures they can manage drug costs effectively, offer competitive pricing, and provide better outcomes for members with clear, accessible data.