Cigna Accused of Monopolizing Specialty Pharmacy Services Market

Cigna Corp. was sued Tuesday in federal court by patient plaintiffs who claim the health insurer used its power to monopolize the nationwide market for specialty pharmacy services and shut out competitors.

The insurer’s control over the market led to severe delivery delays for prescriptions needed to treat chronic conditions including ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to a proposed class action filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Cigna’s affiliates Accredo Health Group Inc., a specialty pharmacy, and Express Scripts Holding Co., one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the US, are ...