Share Copy link Email LinkedIn X/Twitter Facebook Print Florida is launching an investigation into CVS Health and its pharmacy benefit manager Caremark, in the latest state crackdown on drug middlemen for allegedly driving up the cost of medications. The probe will examine claims of anticompetitive conduct, including whether the healthcare giant steers patients toward its own pharmacies at the expense of independent operators, reimburses affiliated stores more than other pharmacies for the same prescriptions and imposes burdensome audits on small pharmacies, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday. CVS said it will work with the attorney general to address any concerns, but argued PBMs aren’t the driver of expensive medications. “Drugmakers alone set the price of prescription drugs, and blaming a PBM for high drug prices is like blaming an umbrella for th…

prescriptions — operate large, integrated healthcare businesses and use that leverage to profit. They say the drug middlemen steer patients toward their own pharmacies and impose arbitrary or unfair contracts on smaller pharmacies, driving independent operators out of business. Uthmeier said CVS’ ownership of Caremark and about 800 pharmacies in Florida raise concerns the healthcare giant will give preference to its own businesses, threatening smaller pharmacies and increasing costs for patients. The attorney general issued a civil investigative demand, a type of administrative subpoena used by government agencies to gather information and evidence. The demand requires thousands of documents and sworn testimony on reimbursement rates, pharmacy contracts, rebates and audits, Uthmeier said. CVS has to respond by July 28.