NGA Statement on FTC Antitrust Lawsuit Against Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Washington, D.C. - The National Grocers Association (NGA) commends the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for bringing a lawsuit against several Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) for abusing their economic power and harming both competition and consumers in the pharmacy supply chain for insulin.

Community pharmacies have been decimated by abusive PBM market practices that have left thousands of communities without access to life altering and lifesaving medications. This lawsuit is a significant first step to addressing drug rebate schemes that enrich PBMs while harming retail pharmacy competition.

In recent years, independent grocers have been forced to shut down or sell their pharmacy businesses due to the destructive influence of PBMs. The few still left in operation are generally unprofitable, with grocers bearing the financial burden of running pharmacies because of their steadfast commitment to the local communities that they serve.

NGA will continue to monitor this lawsuit as it moves forward and advocate on behalf of our independent grocers, who continue to be at the heart of our nation's communities.

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