- Louisiana AG Liz Murrill reached a $45 million settlement with CVS Health Corp. and its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) subsidiary to resolve three lawsuits alleging deceptive and anti-competitive practices that allegedly violated the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.
- According to the AG’s office, the settlement resolves allegations that CVS improperly used customer information to conduct a mass text message lobbying campaign against proposed state legislation, allegedly making misleading claims intended to provoke fear about pharmacy closures, drug access, and job losses.
- The state further alleged that CVS used a “vertical integration” model to manipulate drug prices, obscure costs, and unfairly under-reimburse independent pharmacies.
- The AG’s office says that, under the terms of the agreement, CVS will pay $45 million to the state—resolving all claims without an admission of liability—to be used for implementing pharmacy benefit legislation and Medicaid fraud initiatives, among other relief.