FTC Sues Top Pharmacy Benefit Managers Over Inflated Insulin Prices

The lawsuit alleges CVS, Cigna, and UnitedHealth's PBMs engaged in anticompetitive practices that raised insulin costs for patients.

The FTC accuses CVS Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth's Optum Rx of using rebate systems that favored higher-priced insulin.
The PBMs allegedly excluded cheaper insulin options to secure larger rebates from drug manufacturers, driving up out-of-pocket costs for patients.
The FTC's lawsuit is part of a broader effort to scrutinize PBMs, which control 80% of U.S. prescriptions and have significant influence over drug prices.
PBMs argue that their rebate practices lower drug costs overall, while critics and lawmakers call for more transparency and regulation.
The FTC has not ruled out future actions against insulin manufacturers like Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk, who also play a role in pricing.