STAT+: Canada advances an antitrust probe into Express Scripts over ‘patient steering’ and pharmacy fees
Canadian officials have obtained a court order that requires Express Scripts to produce documents in connection with an investigation into whether it violated antitrust laws.
Canadian officials have obtained a court order that requires Express Scripts to produce documents in connection with an investigation into whether the pharmacy benefits manager violated antitrust laws.
The Competition Bureau is examining whether the company forced or induced Canadians to use its own pharmacies. Express Scripts operates four mail-order pharmacies across the country, except in Quebec. The agency is also probing allegations that the company squeezed retail pharmacies by increasing service fees and requiring costly audits, according to a brief statement.
The antitrust regulator noted there was no finding of wrongdoing at this time. We asked Cigna, the health insurer that owns Express Scripts, for comment and will update you accordingly.
