Cole Schmidtknecht, a 22-year-old with asthma, tragically died in Jan 2024 after being unable to afford his asthma medication. He had been informed by Walgreens that his inhaler was not covered by insurance and would cost $539.19, leaving him unable to purchase it. Five days later, he suffered a fatal asthma attack. His family has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens and OptumRx, a pharmacy benefit manager, alleging negligence in his death.
The lawsuit claims that OptumRx discontinued coverage for Cole’s inhaler without providing proper notice, pushing him to purchase more expensive alternatives. Walgreens failed to assist him in finding affordable medication, according to the complaint. Cole’s parents seek justice for his death and hope to bring about change in the healthcare system, particularly in the power and practices of pharmacy benefit managers.
The lawsuit highlights the influence of PBMs in dictating patients’ medications based on financial interests, potentially compromising patient care. Cole’s story has sparked a call for reform in the healthcare system, with efforts to address price-gouging and improve access to affordable medications. While legislative attempts have been made, including a bipartisan bill in support of price regulation for PBMs, challenges in passing such reforms persist.
As the lawsuit proceeds, Cole’s family continues to advocate for PBM reform to prevent similar tragedies. They remember Cole as a beloved son, known for his curiosity, kindness, and love of gaming and movies. Through their advocacy efforts, they hope to honor Cole’s memory and prevent others from facing similar struggles with accessing essential medications.
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