Adding to my concern, rebate payments have historically been structured in a way that only exacerbates the conflict of interest issues I've described.
It is thought that suppliers have assisted Game through generous rebate payments, easing short-term pressure on the retailer's finances.
In 2015 a police strike force targeted a group that was using Medicare card details to direct rebate payments into fraudulent bank accounts.
Mylan slumped after a group of senators asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the company broke the law when it classified its emergency allergy shot EpiPen as a generic drug, which allowed Mylan to make lower rebate payments to states.
based in Oakland, Calif., said the administration plan would impair its ability to negotiate lower drug prices for its 8.5 million members because it suggested that discounts and rebate payments create "a prosecutorial risk" under the kickback law.
"In fact," the report said, "only one firm has significantly reduced retail commissions for executing listed options orders, and another maintains a policy to rebate payments received for order flow to customers".
At the moment, net UK contributions to the EU budget (ie after taking into account Britain's rebate, payments under the common agricultural policy and support for the regions) comes to around £10bn a year.
Pharmacy benefit managers are hired by insurers and large employers to negotiate lower drug prices, but they also receive rebate payments from drugmakers, creating a potential conflict of interest, the administration said.
Since the initiative began in July 2010, over 14,000 households have received rebate payments.
The Social Security Administration would disburse the monthly rebate payments in the form of a paper check via U.S. Mail, an electronic funds transfer to a bank account, or a "smartcard" that can be used like a debit card.
