Antitrust class actions against CVS and various pharmacy benefit managers are accumulating, with plaintiffs including independent pharmacies alleging significant market manipulation. The core of the complaints revolves around claims that these entities have “vertically integrated” with major healthcare firms such as insurance companies, healthcare providers, and drug private labelers. This integration allegedly facilitates anticompetitive practices that suppress reimbursement rates for discount card payments, which purportedly harms stand-alone pharmacies, potentially pushing them out of business. For further details, you can read more here.