Dear Supporters,
We are preparing for hundreds to attend our peaceful protest at Express Scripts Headquarters by 1 Express Way, St. Louis Missouri on May 17, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, We hope more patients can come and be willing to share their stories with the media. Even if you're unable to go but would be willing to share your story or if you're going and would be willing to speak to media, please let me know by emailing loretta@uniteforsafemeds.com
If you have issues with Optum & CVS Caremark or specialty, we will protest there over the summer and fall.
Express Scripts is a mail order pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager or PBM. The reason for the Express Scripts protest:
1. PBM Steering Towards Their Own Pharmacies: PBMs direct patients to their own mail and retail pharmacies, limiting access to local independent community pharmacies. Express Scripts' mail order pharmacy, cautioned by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), has faced complaints about delays, wrong shipments, refund issues, and poor service.
2. Drug Pricing Manipulation and Rebate Schemes: PBMs increase drug prices and withhold savings from patients and pharmacies through pricing manipulation and rebate schemes.
3. Patient Access Obstacle Courses for Medications: PBMs impede patient access to medication through limited lists of covered medications or formularies and copay accumulators. Formularies are often built upon which drug manufacturers will provide the largest kickback to the PBM and not the medication that will be most affordable or medically appropriate for the patient. These practices increase financial burdens on patients, making it harder for them to afford necessary medications and limiting their access to essential treatments.
4. Pharmacy Closures Due to PBM Financial Pressures: Many community pharmacies are forced to close due to below-cost reimbursements from PBMs, leaving underserved areas without access to care and further endangering small businesses, patients' access to medications, and America’s public health system. It is estimated that 30% of local community pharmacies in America may close this year due to these practices.
We appreciate our supporters. We are hopeful that this demonstration will help push forward the change that we need to save lives and save patients from harm.
Thank you for your support,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate