Express Scripts, OptumRX Face New Opioid Lawsuit in Michigan

The state of Michigan on Thursday sued Express Scripts Inc. and OptumRX Inc., two major pharmacy middlemen, for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.

The pharmacy benefit managers units of the health giants—which operate as intermediaries between insurers and drugmakers, negotiating drug discounts and deciding which ones get preferred coverage in health insurance plans—failed to follow reasonable standards of care when dealing with the drugs. They also illegally worked with painkiller manufacturers to place their products on lists of drugs that insurers cover in exchange for rebates and other fees, according to the suit, which was filed ...