Express Scripts Accused of Hiding Drug Rebates by Plumbers Union

A Chicago plumbers’ union is accusing Express Scripts Inc. of giving certain drugmakers preferential patient access in exchange for billions of dollars in rebates it withheld from the union health plan.

The Plumbers’ Welfare Fund, Local 130 U.A., filed a class action against Express Scripts and parent companies Evernorth Health Services and The Cigna Group in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Tuesday, arguing the pharmacy benefit manager’s negotiation tactics amount to “kickback payments” that limit patient access and raise the union’s drug costs.

The five-count complaint accuses the companies of unjust enrichment, breach of ...