House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has expanded an ongoing investigation into Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) by requesting information about the use of foreign-based group purchasing organizations (GPOs). The committee is seeking documents from The Cigna Group and Optum Rx regarding their GPOs, which are headquartered overseas.
In a letter to The Cigna Group, Comer wrote: “The Committee is investigating whether Cigna Group’s Evernorth Health Services, the parent company of Express Scripts, uses its foreign headquartered group purchasing organization (GPO)—Ascent Health Services, Inc. (Ascent) which is headquartered in Switzerland—to evade transparency and oversight in the United States. The Committee requests documents and communications regarding the creation and role of Ascent.”
The House Oversight Committee released a report in July 2024 that examined how PBMs have acted as intermediaries in prescription drug markets. According to the report, PBMs have implemented policies that may reduce competition and increase complexity in pricing structures. It also noted that GPOs located outside the U.S., such as those operated by major PBMs, could be used to retain more revenue and avoid domestic regulatory reforms. Emisar Pharma was established by UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx in 2021 and is based in Ireland. Ascent was set up by Cigna Group’s Express Scripts in 2019 with headquarters in Switzerland.
Comer also sent a letter to Optum Rx stating: “The Committee is investigating whether UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx, uses its foreign headquartered group purchasing organization (GPO)—Emisar Pharma Services, LLC (Emisar Pharma) headquartered in Ireland—to evade transparency and oversight in the United States. The Committee requests documents and communications regarding the creation and role of Emisar Pharma.”
James Comer has represented Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress since 2016 after succeeding Ed Whitfield. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012. Born in Carthage, Tennessee, Comer now lives in Tompkinsville and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Letters were addressed to Mr. David Cordani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Cigna Group, and Dr. Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer of Optum Rx.
