Cigna Challenges FTC’s Report on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Alleging Unconstitutional Actions and Misleading Claims

Cigna's Lawsuit:
Cigna's subsidiary, Express Scripts, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demanding the retraction of a July 2024 report on PBMs, alleging it contains false and misleading claims and ignores evidence provided by PBMs.

FTC's Report:
The FTC's report is criticized for disregarding millions of documents and terabytes of data from PBMs, leading to a biased and damaging narrative that could harm the healthcare system by removing essential checks and balances, potentially resulting in higher drug prices for consumers.

PBMs' Role:
PBMs argue that they save money for consumers, with Express Scripts achieving approximately $38 billion in savings for clients in 2023. They emphasize that drug manufacturers set the prices of their drugs, not PBMs.

Industry Support:
The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) supports Cigna's stance, stating that the FTC's report falls short of a definitive, fact-based assessment and relies on anecdotes and cherry-picked case studies.

FTC's Counteraction:
The FTC has announced an administrative action against PBMs, including Express Scripts, alleging they have artificially inflated insulin prices and impaired patients' access to lower list price products.