Canada's Competition Bureau has initiated an investigation into Express Scripts Canada, a pharmacy benefit management unit of The Cigna Group, for alleged anti-competitive behavior. The probe is examining whether Express Scripts violated restrictive trade provisions under Canadian competition laws.
The investigation specifically focuses on whether Express Scripts steered patients towards pharmacies it owns or has affiliations with, and if it suppressed margins for rival drug-store owners by increasing service fees and demanding additional paperwork. The Bureau obtained a Federal Court order to compel Express Scripts Canada to produce relevant documents and testimony.
While the Bureau's investigation has not yet concluded any wrongdoing, this action represents significant regulatory scrutiny on Cigna's PBM operations in Canada. The outcome could lead to changes in business practices or financial penalties, impacting the unit's operations and profitability.
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