Express scripts sued by compounding pharmacies for alleged antitrust practices

For the second time since Express Scripts began blocking coverage of hundreds of ingredients used to make compounded medicines, several compounding pharmacies have filed a lawsuit accusing

the pharmacy benefits manager of using illegal tactics. In the latest instance, a half-dozen compounding pharmacies have charged Express Scripts with violating antitrust laws and is

attempting to force them out of business. And they allege that other pharmacy benefits managers are conspiring to do the same thing, although none are named as defendants. Express Scripts

has taken “a series of unreasonable restrictions and rules that would make it impossible for [the compounding pharmacies] to fill prescriptions” for patients “and obtain reimbursements that

would cover their costs,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in St. Louis. The company and the other benefits managers “employed tactics designed to ensure that the

compounding pharmacy industry …  cannot survive.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in THIS ARTICLE IS EXCLUSIVE TO STAT+ SUBSCRIBERS UNLOCK THIS ARTICLE — PLUS IN-DEPTH

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