Hamilton County prosecutor sues insulin makers

Leaders in Hamilton County are pursuing legal measures due to the increasing price of insulin.

During a press event on Tuesday, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich stated that the county has initiated legal action against prominent pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmaceutical companies, claiming they artificially increased the cost of insulin and other diabetes treatments over an extended period.

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The lawsuit lists CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx as PBMs, with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi identified as the manufacturers.

Some medical corporations are focusing more on earnings than on their patients," Pillich stated. "Our objective is to safeguard taxpayers and ensure those at fault are held responsible.

In a press statement, Pillich's office states that the county alleges it was charged "unreasonably" high costs for insulin for its staff and their family members because of an "illegal pricing arrangement" between manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers.

The legal action is requesting monetary damages for taxpayers and health insurance members, along with a judicial ruling to halt the activities that are being accused.

The Hamilton County Commissioners' Board initiated the lawsuit, along with County Prosecutor Connie Pillich.

Insulin is a critical treatment that has been available for many years, but families and employers are now facing higher costs to obtain it," said Stephanie Summerow Dumas, commission president, in a press release regarding the lawsuit. "When pharmaceutical companies and intermediaries increase prices, it affects our employees, their families, and ultimately taxpayers. That's why Hamilton County is taking steps to seek fairness and responsibility without endangering taxpayer funds, and to promote a system that prioritizes people.

"When Hamilton County ends up paying more than necessary for prescription medications, that's money that could have been used for road maintenance, emergency services, or learning opportunities," said commission vice president Alicia Reece.

Reece stated that between 2023 and 2025, diabetes medications were "the top expense" in the county's health plan for prescription drugs. As per Pillich's office, these expenses reached almost $13 million during that period.

Pillich's office states that the lawsuit is comparable to other legal actions initiated nationwide, which claim that pharmacy benefit managers and drug manufacturers worked together to excessively increase prices throughout the country.

Authorities state that the companies acting on behalf of Hamilton County are operating on a contingency basis, indicating that there is no financial burden on county taxpayers related to the legal proceedings.

The three pharmacy benefit managers mentioned in the legal case oversee 96% of the worldwide insulin market, according to officials.

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