SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has issued a call for insulin users to share their experiences with insulin pricing over the last decade, in support of an ongoing lawsuit.
Current and former Utah diabetes patients and their caregivers are being asked to share their experiences with insulin pricing over the last 10 years with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection (DCP).
Any responses will be used to support the state's lawsuit against major insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers, who the state accuses of unjustly and artificially increasing the cost of life-saving medication.
The lawsuit was first filed in 2023 against more than 15 industry defendants, including major insulin manufacturers like Eli Lilly and Norvo Nordisk and pharmacy benefit managers like Express Scripts, CVS Pharmacy, and United Health. It's since been moved to federal court, where the case is still ongoing.
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In the lawsuit, Utah alleges that major insulin manufacturers drove up insulin costs to unsustainable levels by artificially inflating prices and that pharmacy benefit managers prioritized "high-rebate, high-cost drugs" over more affordable options when deciding health plans. The lawsuit argues that this led to higher out-of-pocket costs for Utah residents.
"These companies have preyed on individuals by artificially inflating the prices of life-saving drugs, forcing families to choose between their medication and basic necessities like food," stated Dan Larsen, Director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. "Your experience is vital to the state's case and our potential to recover damages as we work to ensure these companies are held to account."
According to the DCP, around 200,000 Utahns live with diabetes, and they spend $1.7 billion on care, making up one out of every 4 dollars spent on healthcare in the state. Learn more about the lawsuit and how to submit a complaint here.
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit only portrays one side of a story.
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