FTC Delays Drug Middlemen Case While Talks Move Forward

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) administrative case against the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers is on pause.

Federal regulators are weighing a potential settlement.

On January 20, the FTC withdrew—then formally stayed—its case against:

UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s (NYSE: UNH) OptumRx unit

CVS Health Corp.’s (NYSE:CVS) CVS Caremark

Cigna Corp.’s (NYSE:CI) Express Scripts, and

Evernorth Health, Inc.

Medco Health Services, Inc., and

Ascent Health Services, LLC.

The FTC approved a 14-day suspension of proceedings.

The stay pushes back all discovery, filing, and decision deadlines, and delays the evidentiary hearing until ...