Prime responds to media inquiries regarding Ohio lawsuit

On Monday, March 27, the Ohio Attorney General filed a lawsuit naming Ascent Health Services, several pharmacy benefit mangers (PBMs), including Prime Therapeutics, and a number of other entities, alleging that Ascent and the PBMs named (including Prime) engaged in price fixing and anti-competitive behaviors.

​​​​​Ascent is a group purchasing organization (GPO) affiliated with Express Scripts that is engaged by Prime to develop pharmacy strategies and relationships. Prime holds a minority ownership interest in Ascent.

Prime has responded to media inquiries with the following statement:

Prime is a minority owner of Ascent, which is a group purchasing organization that negotiates pharmaceutical relationships and savings opportunities for the purpose of improving affordability for members and plan sponsors across Prime’s client base, including Prime’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield owners. 

Prime does not comment on pending litigation.

Prime has not yet been served with the lawsuit and continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates to clients as necessary.

Please reach out to your Prime client engagement representative if you have further questions.