Transparency fight over CVS Caremark practices in USA

US consumer group Change to Win has sued Ferris State University,  seeking the release of a government contract between the university and  CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefit management company, among other  documents. Change to Win is represented by Margaret Kwoka, an attorney  at Public Citizen, a non-profit organization with a history of fighting  for government transparency, and by attorney Ted Iorio of the Michigan  firm Kalniz, Iorio & Feldstein. The case was brought under the Michigan  Freedom of Information Act in Mecosta County Circuit Court.

"CVS Caremark's lack of transparency is driving up prescription drug  costs for consumers and health plans alike," said Chris Chafe, executive  director of Change to Win. "Michigan law protects the people's right to  know, in this case, what CVS Caremark is charging the university for  prescription drug benefits, but also what compensation CVS Caremark may  be receiving in the form of undisclosed agreements with drug  manufacturers and pharmacies at taxpayers' expense," he added.

Change to Win filed the suit after Ferris State University, a public  college based in Big Rapids, Michigan, partially denied a request for a  copy of the CVS Caremark contract. Public Citizen and Change to Win  assert that the redacted information, such as prices, should also be  disclosed. Change to Win is engaged in an effort to increase the public  accountability and transparency of drug middlemen, such as CVS Caremark,  to allow for public scrutiny of drug benefits and drug pricing  practices.