Louisiana Files 3 Lawsuits Against CVS Health, Caremark PCS

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced the filing of 3 separate lawsuits against CVS Health Corp, CaremarkPCS Health LLC, and their affiliated entities. All 3 lawsuits allege that the corporation engaged in unfair, deceptive and illegal practices which harmed Louisiana independent pharmacies, patients, and the general public in Louisiana.

The Lawsuits

“Today, I have filed multiple lawsuits against CVS Health Corp, CaremarkPCS Health, LLC, and their affiliated entities,” said Attorney General Murrill in a press release. “I believe CVS used their customers' personal information that was given to them to fill their prescription, to lobby for their own corporate interests against pending legislation in the State Legislature. PBM’s are not managing the costs of drugs—they are driving the price up! CVS and other PBM’s continue to hide behind various confidentiality clauses to cover up the way they are manipulating drug prices—it’s wrong and unlawful. CVS will have to account for its actions.”

Lawsuit 1: Text Messages

The first lawsuit alleges that, on June 11, 2025, CVS sent urgent text messages to customers, asking them to oppose House Bill 358—a bill that would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or controlling pharmacies. According to the lawsuit, CVS misused contact information obtained under the guise of prescription or health-related notifications. The texts are alleged to have been inaccurate, deceptive, and misleading, and were intended to create fear among vulnerable people regarding health care needs, encouraging them to lobby against the pending legislation.

“In every respect, CVS’s use of its pharmacy customers’ contact information to send text messages spreading lies to serve its own political agenda of maintaining its anti-competitive economic position—to the obvious detriment of the public interest—creates unethical and deceptive acts, in violation of public policy and established standards of decency,” noted the Attorney General’s office.

Lawsuit 2: PBM Market Abuse

The second lawsuit alleges that CVS’s structure of controlling multiple stages of the pharmaceutical supply and reimbursement chain gives it unfair market power. The lawsuit notes that CVS owns Aetna and also operates MinuteClinics, HealthHUBs, and home infusion services in Louisiana. This structure allegedly gives CVS influence over diagnosis, prescription, and fulfillment.

Lawsuit 3: Harm to Independent Pharmacies

The third lawsuit alleges that CVS’s business practices with independent pharmacies in the state constitute unfair competition, are deceptive, and harmful to the public. The lawsuit points out that CVS’s imposition of extremely high fees on independent pharmacies, under threat of being expelled from the CVS network, amounts to unfair competition and unfair trade practice.

Bottom Line

The state is looking for both injunctive relief and restitution in the cases. “This month, CVS went too far by sending a politically charged and unethical message to its customers, and we won’t let that go unanswered,” said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. “In Louisiana, we refuse to be intimidated by the fear tactics of these middlemen. Our focus remains on lowering drug prices and ensuring a fair, transparent pharmaceutical market.”

References:

Attorney General Liz Murrill announces major legal action against CVS. Press release. Attorney General Liz Murrill, Louisiana Department of Justice. Published June 24, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.ag.state.la.us/Article/288

State of Louisiana v CaremarkPCS Health LLC and CVS Health Corp. No C-2501218 D. 27th Judicial District Court, St Landry Parish, Louisiana; 2025. https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Article/288/Documents/FiledRebates62325.pdf

State of Louisiana v CaremarkPCS Health LLC and CVS Health Corp. No C-2501217 B. 27th Judicial District Court, St Landry Parish, Louisiana; 2025. https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Article/288/Documents/FiledTextPetition62325.pdf

State of Louisiana v CaremarkPCS Health LLC and CVS Health Corp. No C-2501216 A. 27th Judicial District Court, St Landry Parish, Louisiana; 2025. https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Article/288/Documents/FiledCVSPharmacyClaims.pdf