Arizona AG Sues Express Scripts, Optum Over Opioid Role
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a consumer fraud lawsuit Oct. 1 against pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Optum, alleging their formulary and rebate practices fueled the state's opioid epidemic over more than two decades. The complaint alleges the PBMs gave OxyContin unrestricted preferred formulary status in exchange for confidential payments from Purdue Pharma, avoided prior authorization and step-therapy controls, distributed misleading materials downplaying addiction risk, and sold prescriber data for targeted opioid marketing. Filed under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, the suit seeks restitution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, disgorgement and corrective programs. It closely mirrors a similar Arkansas lawsuit filed against the same two PBMs in June 2024, part of a broader wave of state litigation scrutinizing PBM business practices.
State Medicaid agencies and MCOs relying on these PBMs for pharmacy benefit administration face growing legal and regulatory exposure over formulary and rebate practices that could trigger contract scrutiny and compliance reviews.
Pharmacy
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