Overview
The state of Arkansas has filed a lawsuit against Optum, OptumRx, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna’s Evernorth, and its pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, among others, accusing them of contributing to the opioid epidemic. This lawsuit, submitted on June 24 in Pulaski County’s Circuit Court, alleges that these pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) prioritized profits over patient safety, neglecting their duty to monitor and report suspicious opioid distribution.
Key Allegations
Attorney General Tim Griffin asserts that the defendants’ actions violated state law, seeking:
- Restitution covering costs and expenses
- A jury trial
Role of PBMs
The lawsuit highlights the pivotal role PBMs play in the pharmaceutical supply chain, impacting drug benefits for:
- Insurers
- Self-insured employers
- State and federal government agencies
Specific Claims
The complaint against PBMs includes:
- Financially benefiting from the opioid crisis by negotiating favorable deals with manufacturers
- Neglecting critical consumer safety measures
- Failing to curb excessive opioid prescriptions
Impact on Orthopaedic Practice
The opioid epidemic has had severe repercussions on healthcare, particularly affecting orthopaedic professionals. The crisis has led to:
- Increased patient reliance on opioids for post-surgical pain management
- Strain on emergency rooms and behavioral health centers with opioid-related cases
- Higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome and foster care placements
Economic and Health Costs
- In 2017, the CDC estimated the opioid epidemic cost the U.S. $1.02 trillion
- By 2020, the Congressional Joint Economic Committee reported a rise to $1.5 trillion
- Overdose deaths surged, with 93,655 in 2020 and an estimated 107,622 in 2021
Arkansas-Specific Impact
For orthopaedic professionals in Arkansas:
- The state had the second-highest opioid prescribing rate in the nation by 2016
- An opioid prescribing rate of 114.6 opioids per 100 residents, nearly double the national average
- A 350% increase in overdose deaths from 2000 to 2020
Orthopaedic professionals are uniquely positioned to address the ramifications of the opioid crisis within their practices. By understanding the roles and failures of PBMs, orthopaedic professionals can advocate for safer pain management protocols and support measures that mitigate opioid dependency and abuse. This lawsuit underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent further exacerbation of the opioid epidemic, ensuring patient safety and wellbeing.
