Nationwide Coalition Applauds Trade Groups and Community Pharmacies For Filing Suit Against Express Scripts/Medco Over Merger Plan

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! (PCPAN) coalition applauded the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the named community pharmacies today, for filing an antitrust suit against Express Scripts, (ESI) and Medco Health Solutions over their $29 billion merger plan.  The lawsuit was filed in Federal Court in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Reports of the lawsuit follow a press call hosted by PCPAN yesterday where public interest groups and leading competition advocates called on state attorneys general to block the proposed merger.  The FTC is currently reviewing the $29 billion deal and expected to render its final decision on whether or not it will move forward very soon.  Already, it has been reported that attorneys general in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and California and at least one other state are considering filing suit to block the merger, irrespective of the outcome of the FTC's review. 

"I applaud NACDS and NCPA for taking steps to protect American patients and consumers from this harmful merger," said former Congresswoman Eva M. Clayton, chair of the Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! (PCPAN) coalition.  "A consolidated ESI/Medco would have tremendous power, enabling the mega-PBM to squeeze the health care system for its own profits – at the expense of patient choice, access and service.  Approving this merger would be an absolute travesty."

ESI and Medco are both are multi-billion-dollar companies, which, combined would control an excessive share of the market.  The abundance of evidence shows this virtual monopoly would lead to higher health care costs and reduced access to cheaper generic drugs, lifesaving specialty medications and vital community pharmacy services.

That is why a number of observers including the American Antitrust Institute, American Consumer Institute, National Urban League, League of United Latin American Citizens, over 85 Members of Congress, pharmacy service providers, consumer advocates, patient groups, a group of 100 employers, and others have voiced concern that an approved would negatively impact American patients and consumers.  The merger has also been investigated by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet and the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.

"It's clear why the FTC and Congressional antitrust panels are examining the proposed merger, and why pharmacists, small businesses and consumers nationwide are opposed to it – also, why NACDS and NCPA are taking this important step," Clayton continued.  "The potential harm posed by this merger is nationwide and it needs to be stopped."

Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! is a coalition of consumers, businesses and community-based pharmacists from across the country that have come together for the purpose of opposing the planned merger between Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc.  PCPAN is a project of Pharmacy Choice and Access Now.

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SOURCE Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW!