Pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts is suing drug manufacturer Kaléo to get $14 million in rebates in a case it calls price gouging.
The PBM said it is owed at least $13 million in rebates and another $1.5 million under the Medicare Rebate Agreement, for an injectable drug used to combat opioid overdose, according to the lawsuit obtained by ProPublica.
Contacted on Monday, an Express Scripts spokeswoman said, "We filed this lawsuit to get money that is rightfully owed our clients. Kaléo owes rebates and administrative fees that we share with our clients and we are working to get that money back."
[Also: Anthem ends Express Scripts contract, turns down drug price concessions]
The lawsuit filed on May 16 in U.S. District Court in Missouri claims Kaléo upped the price of Evzio by over 500 percent between 2014 and 2016.
A two-pack of injectors costs $3,750 today compared to $575 in 2014. The injector delivers a single dose of naloxone to combat opioid overdose.
The other widely-used opioid combatant is Narcan, a nasal spray containing naloxone. Narcan costs about $150 for pack.
Price hikes of drugs has alarmed many, including providers, payers and members of Congress. In February, 31 Senators sent a letter to Kaléo requesting an explanation, the lawsuit said.
[Also: Physicians grapple with prescribing opioids to seniors as addiction rates swell]
Express Scripts has dropped the drug Evzio from its preferred list, according to The New York Times.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse