Breaking: FTC sues big 3 PBMs for ‘artificially inflated’ insulin prices

The agency accused the companies of creating a "perverse" system in order to "line their pockets" at the expense of patients

Log In    Subscribe BREAKING NEWS   FTC sues big 3 PBMs for 'artificially inflated' insulin prices caused by 'perverse' rebating system By Ed Silverman Rick Berke / STAT The FTC filed a lawsuit against CVS Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth's OptumRx for for their allegedly anticompetitive practices that "artificially inflated" the price of insulin and, consequently, impeded patient access to the life-saving treatment.   The complaint accused the pharmacy benefit managers of creating a "perverse" system of rebates that favored insulin sold at higher list prices in order to "line their pockets." Overall, pharmacy benefit managers collected billions in rebates and associated fees and, by 2019, one of every four patients was unable to afford insulin. READ MORE Sign up for Health Care Inc. Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry. Learn more. In Case You Missed It Biden and Trump are fighting to claim credit for $35 insulin. It was actually a pharma giant's idea By Rachel Cohrs Zhang As GLP-1 sales surge, insulin users fear Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly will move on without them By Elaine Chen FTC's noncompete ban would force sweeping changes in health care, if it survives legal battle By Tara Bannow How I fought Big Pharma on insulin prices — and won By Elizabeth Pfiester Don't miss out on another STAT Investigation Unlock the world of health and medicine with a subscription to STAT+ Learn more STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2024, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us