Arkansas Sues Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and PBMs Over Insulin Drug Costs

The state of Arkansas is suing insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-Aventis along with pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx for their alleged roles in unfairly raising insulin prices.

The state is accusing the drug manufacturers and PBMs of forming an “insulin pricing scheme” that led to the high insulin drug prices. It is seeking “injunctive relief, restitution, damages and civil penalties,” according to the complaint. Under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the defendants could face penalties of up to $10,000 for each transaction judged to be in violation of the act.

The companies “have inflated the price of insulin and other diabetes-related medication to line their own pockets,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “They have endangered the lives of thousands of Arkansans and Americans who simply cannot afford to buy this life-saving medicine.”