Federal Judge Sends Hawaii Case Against PBMs Back to State Court

The Hawaii government will continue its lawsuit against the country’s top pharmacy benefit managers in state court after a federal judge on Monday determined the issues presented are specific to state health plans and regulations.

CVS Health Corp.'s Caremark has failed to show a causal connection between federally directed conduct and actions taken to shape prescription drug coverage in the state of Hawaii, Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi of the US District Court for the District of Hawaii said in her ruling granting Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez’s renewed motion to remand the case. This connection is required under the ...