Each year, Express Scripts releases a list of prescription drugs it will exclude from coverage for the upcoming year, and that list is determined by a secretive board of doctors and a pharmacist.

The nation’s largest pharmacy benefit manager, which is based in St. Louis County, does not disclose the names of the board members or any actual or potential conflicts of interest they may have…

The reason behind the secrecy is to shield experts from the “tremendous” influences of lobbyists, Express Scripts executives say.

"Oh shit, they're on to us: we've got to come up with something!"

"Um…it's to protect us from lobbyists, maybe?"

"Brilliant!"

/FFS