Final signature count: 9,441

9,441 signatures toward our 50,000 goal

Prescription drug middlemen have been consolidating the sources and increasing the prices of your drugs over the years, forcing some Americans to choose between quality-of-life or good health.

77% of all prescriptions filled nationwide are controlled by three Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)1, the pharmaceutical industry’s giant corporate middlemen that result in higher prices across the country, all owned by the largest health insurers: Caremark (owned by CVS), OptumRx (owned by United Health), and Express Scripts (owned by Cigna)2.

Defenders of Big Pharma would tell you Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) aim to lower drug costs and help patients efficiently access medications. In reality, PBMs work to jack up the price of life-saving drugs like insulin, steal from community pharmacies until they go bankrupt, and overcomplicate rural pharmacy care to the point of uselessness3.

PBMs decide what pharmacies you can use, which of your medications are covered by insurance, and how much you, the pharmacy, and your insurance company must pay, giving them immense control over drug prices in the United States4.

When FTC Chair Lina Khan first pushed to investigate PBMs’ role in rising drug prices and illegal monopolistic practices5, Commissioners Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson blocked the investigation6.

Commissioners Phillips and Wilson voted against confirming the investigation because they claimed it was too broad in scope and lacked focus. With the knowledge that millions of Americans rely on the pharmacy system to survive, further supported by signatures from our readers, they may stand down the next time a vote is called.

Sign the petition and help us ask FTC Commissioners Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson to stop blocking efforts to open an investigation into PBMs.