{"id":12208,"date":"2024-07-01T07:50:56","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T07:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/?p=12208"},"modified":"2024-07-05T10:29:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T10:29:24","slug":"arkansas-pbms-in-opioid-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/arkansas-pbms-in-opioid-lawsuit\/","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Empowers Fight Against PBMs in Opioid Lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div id=\"rank-math-toc\" class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block has-electric-grass-gradient-background has-background\"><nav>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#background-of-the-opioid-epidemic\">Background of the Opioid Epidemic<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#details-of-the-lawsuit\">Details of the Lawsuit<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"#allegations-against-pb-ms\">Allegations Against PBMs<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#financial-gains-and-ethical-concerns\">Financial Gains and Ethical Concerns<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#impact-on-arkansas\">Impact on Arkansas<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#responses-and-implications\">Responses and Implications<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#broader-context-of-opioid-litigation\">Broader Context of Opioid Litigation<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQs<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"#q-1-what-are-pb-ms\">Q1: What are PBMs?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#q-2-why-is-arkansas-suing-optum-and-express-scripts\">Q2: Why is Arkansas suing Optum and Express Scripts?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#q-3-what-impact-has-the-opioid-crisis-had-on-arkansas\">Q3: What impact has the opioid crisis had on Arkansas?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#q-4-how-have-other-states-addressed-the-opioid-crisis\">Q4: How have other states addressed the opioid crisis?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#q-5-what-are-the-broader-implications-of-this-lawsuit\">Q5: What are the broader implications of this lawsuit?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/nav><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkansasonline.com\/news\/2024\/jun\/24\/arkansas-attorney-general-sues-two-pharmacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arkansas<\/a> has taken a significant step in addressing the opioid crisis by filing a lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) Optum and Express Scripts. The lawsuit, spearheaded by <a href=\"https:\/\/arkansasag.gov\/news_releases\/attorney-general-griffin-sues-pharmacy-benefit-managers-for-roles-in-arkansas-opioid-epidemic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin<\/a>, accuses these companies of playing a crucial role in the state&#8217;s opioid epidemic by exploiting their positions for financial gain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"background-of-the-opioid-epidemic\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background of the Opioid Epidemic<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The opioid crisis has devastated communities across the United States, including Arkansas. The misuse and over-prescription of opioid medications have led to widespread addiction, overdoses, and deaths. Pharmaceutical companies and PBMs have been under scrutiny for their roles in exacerbating the crisis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"details-of-the-lawsuit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Details of the Lawsuit<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"allegations-against-pb-ms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Allegations Against PBMs<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The lawsuit filed by Arkansas alleges that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optum.com\/en\/pharmacy-services.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Optum<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.express-scripts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Express Scripts<\/a> engaged in practices that significantly contributed to the opioid epidemic. According to the lawsuit, these PBMs negotiated deals with opioid manufacturers and exploited rebates while failing to implement measures to protect consumers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin stated, &#8220;Pill by pill and dollar by dollar, PBMs enabled the opioid epidemic in Arkansas. Today, we begin the process of holding them accountable for their roles in a crisis that has ravaged our state\u2014a crisis they helped cause, contributed to, and furthered.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The lawsuit claims that PBMs placed opioid drugs on the lower tiers of their formularies, prioritizing profit over safety. Additionally, the PBMs operated online retail pharmacies that distributed large quantities of opioids without adequate oversight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"financial-gains-and-ethical-concerns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial Gains and Ethical Concerns<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Optum, owned by UnitedHealth Group, and Express Scripts, owned by Cigna, are accused of using the immense profits earned from opioid sales to expand their operations. The lawsuit highlights that both companies have exceeded $100 billion in annual revenue in recent years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The lawsuit states, &#8220;Opioid manufacturers had dedicated executives assigned to expand and strengthen the ties between UHG, OptumInsight, OptumRx, and the manufacturers. OptumInsight was paid tens of millions of dollars by opioid manufacturers for its work to expand the opioid market.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"impact-on-arkansas\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact on Arkansas<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Arkansas. In 2020 alone, 546 people in the state died due to overdoses, marking a 350% increase from the year 2000. The rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome, where infants are born addicted to opioids, further underscores the crisis&#8217;s severity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"responses-and-implications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Responses and Implications<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Optum and Express Scripts have not yet responded to the lawsuit. However, the filing is part of a broader effort by state and federal authorities to hold pharmaceutical companies and PBMs accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The National Community Pharmacists Association has also been investigating direct and indirect remuneration fees for community pharmacies, which they claim are antitrust violations. This scrutiny adds to the pressure on PBMs to reform their practices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"broader-context-of-opioid-litigation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Broader Context of Opioid Litigation<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The Arkansas lawsuit is one of many actions taken against entities involved in the opioid crisis. Major pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies have faced numerous lawsuits and significant financial penalties. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/san-francisco-opioid-settlement-walgreens-229-million\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Walgreens<\/a> agreed to pay $230 million to San Francisco and $500 million to New Mexico in 2023 for their roles in the crisis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that prescription opioid misuse cost the U.S. healthcare system almost $1.5 trillion in 2020. The staggering human toll includes over 100,000 overdose deaths in both 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The lawsuit filed by Arkansas against Optum and Express Scripts represents a critical effort to address the root causes of the opioid epidemic. By holding PBMs accountable for their actions, the state aims to mitigate the ongoing crisis and prevent future misuse of opioid medications. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and the broader fight against opioid addiction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">Discover the latest <a class=\"fui-Link ___1rxvrpe f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/\" href=\"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Link payers&#039; news updates\"><strong>payers&#8217; news updates<\/strong><\/a> with a single click. 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Join our community today!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"fa-qs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"q-1-what-are-pb-ms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q1: What are PBMs?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A1: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third-party administrators of prescription drug programs for health plans, responsible for negotiating with drug manufacturers and pharmacies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"q-2-why-is-arkansas-suing-optum-and-express-scripts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q2: Why is Arkansas suing Optum and Express Scripts?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A2: Arkansas alleges that these PBMs played a significant role in the opioid epidemic by prioritizing profits over consumer safety, leading to widespread opioid misuse and addiction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"q-3-what-impact-has-the-opioid-crisis-had-on-arkansas\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q3: What impact has the opioid crisis had on Arkansas?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A3: The opioid crisis has led to a significant increase in overdose deaths and cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome in Arkansas, severely impacting the state&#8217;s public health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"q-4-how-have-other-states-addressed-the-opioid-crisis\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q4: How have other states addressed the opioid crisis?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A4: Many states have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, resulting in substantial financial settlements to address the crisis and fund recovery efforts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 id=\"q-5-what-are-the-broader-implications-of-this-lawsuit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q5: What are the broader implications of this lawsuit?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A5: This lawsuit could lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of PBMs and their practices, potentially resulting in significant changes in how prescription drugs are managed and distributed.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Arkansas has taken a significant step in addressing the opioid crisis by filing a lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/arkansas-pbms-in-opioid-lawsuit\/\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\">Continue Reading <i class=\"fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right\" style=\"vertical-align: middle;\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[274],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12208"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12208"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12232,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12208\/revisions\/12232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}