(Reuters) - CVS Health Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., and Walmart Inc. have agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state, local and tribal government lawsuits accusing the pharmacy chains of mishandling opioid painkillers.
Though Lupron was invented in 1973, its manufacturer got patent extensions in 1989 by offering a slow-release version. Drugmakers commonly use this tactic to extend their exclusive rights to sell a product.
Poor oversight of the 340B program has empowered hospitals and PBMs to exploit charity care to pad their own profits by capturing the savings intended for needy patients.