Oregon Attorney General Hits Big Pharma and PBMs with Mammoth $900M Lawsuit Over Insulin Price Gouging

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Express Scripts, CVS Caremark, and Optum, seeking $900 million in damages for allegedly conspiring to inflate insulin prices. The lawsuit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, claims that manufacturers raised list prices and provided rebates to PBMs in exchange for favorable formulary placement, effectively excluding more affordable alternatives and trapping consumers in a cycle of high costs. Attorney General Rayfield stated, “This is about more than insulin prices – it’s about the crushing cost pressures families are facing and the very real harm that comes when corporations exploit people who have no choice but to pay.”

The complaint details how this alleged collusion led to Oregonians rationing insulin, using expired products, or skipping meals to manage their blood sugar. The ODOJ’s action is part of a broader effort to address prescription drug costs and hold powerful companies accountable. The lawsuit is based on violations of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act and seeks restitution for consumers, forfeiture of profits, and damages.

Rayfield has indicated that this lawsuit is just the beginning, promising further action to lower prescription drug costs for Oregon families. The outcome of this case could significantly impact how insulin and other prescription drugs are priced and sold, potentially providing relief to those burdened by high healthcare expenses.

(Source：Hoodline)