Attorney General Todd Rokita has initiated a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), accusing them of inflating insulin prices. The legal action targets drug manufacturers Sanofi-Aventis and Novo Nordisk, along with PBMs CaremarkPCS Health, Express Scripts, CVS Health Corp., and Optum RX. According to the lawsuit, these entities allegedly conspired to increase insulin prices by over 1000% in the past decade despite declining manufacturing costs.
"Diabetes is a public health crisis for Hoosiers," stated Attorney General Rokita. "This is a serious condition that requires insulin, putting patients in the impossible position of choosing between health and financial security."
The complaint highlights that diabetes affects approximately 640,435 Indiana residents with another 1.7 million individuals pre-diabetic. Diabetes remains a significant health concern in Indiana, contributing to blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.
"Too many Hoosiers have been forced to ration because drug manufacturers and PBMs have prioritized profits over patients," said Attorney General Rokita. He emphasized the reliance on these medications by hundreds of thousands of Indiana residents.
The financial burden of diabetes care in Indiana is substantial, with direct medical expenses estimated at five billion dollars annually. Adherence to medication protocols could potentially save over $8.3 billion each year.
"Our office hopes this case will also set a strong precedent for other pharmaceutical companies who want to take advantage of everyday Hoosiers," Attorney General Rokita added. "Families are suffering enough already with the economic decline."
Attorney General Rokita's office has previously engaged in legal actions against companies impacting Hoosier patients negatively. Notable achievements include a $66.5 million settlement with Centene regarding undisclosed costs and participation in a $573 million multi-state settlement against McKinsey & Company for its involvement in the opioid crisis.
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