Ky Attorney General Urges Congress to Protect Kentuckians' Access to Fair and Transparent Drug Pricing

Protecting consumer from higher drug prices

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 15, 2025) - Attorney General Coleman announced today he’s calling on Congress to pass a new law protecting Kentuckians from higher drug prices. General Coleman and a coalition of 38 other state and territory attorneys general signed a letter urging congressional leadership to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies. 

PBMs are essentially the middlemen in the pharmaceutical industry. Although dozens of PBMs exist nationwide, a select few dominate the market and wield outsized influence in the availability, dispensing and pricing of prescription drugs.

Each of the top six PBMs operate their own affiliated pharmacies, while five of the top six are also a part of parent conglomerates that operate insurance companies and health care clinics. PBMs—through ownership of affiliated pharmacies—are contracting with and have power over their own pharmacies’ competition.  

Last year, General Coleman sued two PBMs, Express Scripts and Optum Rx, for their role in the opioid crisis.

“We’re calling on Congress to promote competition, transparency and fundamental fairness into healthcare – something that’s been needed for too long," said Attorney General Coleman. 

The letter sent Monday urges Congress to take action and protect consumers by enacting a law prohibiting PBMs or their parent companies from owning a pharmacy.

In addition to Attorney General Coleman, the Attorneys General of the following states and territories also signed on to the letter sent by Arkansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Vermont: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

To read the letter, click here.