Arkansas sues 2 pharmacy benefit managers, accusing them of fueling opioid epidemic in state
Arkansas has sued two pharmacy benefit managers, accusing them of enabling the opioid crisis in the state
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas on Monday sued two pharmacy benefit managers that oversee coverage for insurers, employers and other large clients, accusing them of fueling the opioid crisis in the state.
Attorney General Tim Griffin filed the lawsuit against Express Scripts Inc. and Optum Inc., and their subsidiaries, in state court.
Pharmacy benefit managers run prescription drug coverage for big clients that include health insurers and employers that provide coverage. They help decide which drugs make a plan’s formulary, or list of covered medications. They also can determine where patients go to fill their prescriptions.
Griffin's lawsuit said the companies benefitted from the opioid crisis «by negotiating favorable deals with opioid manufacturers and by not taking sufficient action to curb excessive opioid prescriptions.»
“For at least the last two decades, defendants had a central role in facilitating the oversupply of opioids,” the lawsuit said. “Defendants ignored the necessary safeguards in order to ensure increased opioid prescriptions and sales.”
In a statement, Optum said it has taken steps to fight the opioid epidemic and would defend itself against Arkansas' suit.
“Optum did not cause the opioid crisis or make it worse, and we will defend ourselves in this litigation,” the company said in a statement. “Optum takes the opioid epidemic seriously and has taken a comprehensive approach to fight this issue, including the Opioid Risk Management Program available to all Optum Rx clients, to address opioid abuse and promote patient health.”
Express Scripts did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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