On May 17, about 70 pharmacists and advocates protested outside an Express Scripts headquarters, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report.
The activists accused Express Scripts, Cigna Group's pharmacy benefit manager, of forcing independent pharmacies into uneven contracts and patients to switch to mail-order prescription services.
Members of Unite for Safe Medications and Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency organized the demonstration, according to the report. They were joined by representatives from the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
The PBM industry faces high scrutiny from lawmakers, pharmacy owners and patient activists as the top six PBM companies — including Express Scripts — control 94% of U.S. prescription claims.
Becker's asked the company about the allegations. An Express Scripts spokesperson said:
"The health of our customers is at the center of all we do. We work relentlessly to ensure our customers can access their medications at the lowest possible cost and in the way that is most convenient for them. Our flexible pharmacy networks include pharmacies of all scales and sizes, including large chains, regional and independent pharmacies, as well as home delivery options."