Medco pays $155 million fraud settlement

PBM Medco Health Solutions has agreed to pay $155 million plus interest to settle a case brought by the Department of Justice. Prosecutors alleged that Medco had submitted false claims and accepted kickbacks from pharmaceutical manufacturers for claims under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. In addition to paying the fine, Medco was required to enter into a corporate compliance agreement as a condition of continued participation in government health programs. ?Pharmacy benefit managers are ultimately accountable to their patients, and these agreements increase that level of accountability,? said U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan. ?Pressure by an employer to reduce costs and increase profits must never be allowed to coerce pharmacists into ignoring their duties to patients.?