ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Thursday against Express Scripts and Prime Therapeutics, accusing the pharmacy benefit managers of working together to cut reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies.
Uthmeier said one pharmacy outside Orlando saw reimbursement for a medication drop by about 45%—turning a profitable prescription into a $15.45 loss.
“Something that is not sustainable and takes away opportunities for patients,” Uthmeier said.
The lawsuit claims the companies’ practices forced local pharmacies to fill prescriptions at a loss, risking access to neighborhood pharmacies and affordable meds for Florida patients and seniors.
Uthmeier also accused the companies of colluding on reimbursement rates and fees, saying the arrangement weakened competition and placed additional financial pressure on independent pharmacies.
“Their collusion threatens Floridians’ access to local pharmacies and affordable medications,” Uthmeier said in a statement posted on X.
The lawsuit follows an investigation by the attorney general’s office into CVS Health and Caremark for alleged anticompetitive practices. In June, the state issued a civil investigative demand to CVS seeking information about its treatment of independent pharmacies and whether its practices could contribute to pharmacy closures.
The claims against Express Scripts and Prime Therapeutics will be decided in court.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
