WINSTON-SALEM, NC (December 14, 2018) -- Today Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) and the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) jointly filed a motion asking U.S. District Court Richard Leon to stop CVS and Aetna from further integration while the Court determines the merger’s potentially harmful effect on consumers and smaller competitors.

“We strongly believe the Department of Justice’s decision is shortsighted,” said PUTT President Teresa Dickinson. “History has shown that when CVS acquires rivals, consumers pay more and service and quality suffer.  Past acquisitions have enabled CVS to restrict consumer access and force them to use more expensive drugs.  That’s why the California Commissioner of Insurance, major consumer groups such as Consumers Union, the American Antitrust Institute and the American Medical Association (AMA) - the nation’s largest group of health care providers - all stated the merger should be blocked.”

PUTT, PSSNY and numerous independent pharmacy associations have previously joined the AMA, consumers and patients groups in vigorously protesting CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna Inc., pointing to the loss of one more choice for consumers and decreased access to their local providers as reasons to block the merger.  Additionally, both organizations have addressed the dangers the merger of the nation’s largest pharmacy retailer and third-largest health insurer presents to smaller healthcare providers to maintain access to, and care of, their patients.

​ Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency expresses its thanks and appreciation to reporters Lucas Sullivan, Catherine Candisky and the editorial staff of the Columbus Dispatch

​Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) congratulates Florida governor Rick Scott and the Florida State Legislature for passage of HB351 — the “PBM Transparency Bill” — into law this week.

​In time with a newly-released report by President Trump’s Council of Economic Advisors that calls for transparency among the largest pharmacy benefits management companies (PBMs) in order to help reduce the high cost of prescription medications,