CVS Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial Text Campaign in Louisiana
A recent lawsuit filed in St. Martin Parish claims that CVS Health improperly used customers’ personal information to send politically charged text messages concerning a failed legislative bill in Louisiana. The prospective class-action suit, represented by attorneys from Broussard, David & Moroux, accuses CVS of crossing an “ethical and legal line” by instigating fear among patients regarding their medication access.
The text messages sent by CVS warned customers that “last minute legislation” could lead to the closure of CVS pharmacies, increased medication costs, and potential job losses for pharmacists. These messages urged recipients to contact their elected officials to oppose a bill aimed at prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in Louisiana. As one of the country’s largest PBMs, CVS contended that the bill posed a threat to its operations in the state.
While CVS argued that the bill could harm access to vital medications, state legislators, including Rep. Mandie Landry, criticized the company’s messages as misleading and manipulative. Landry emphasized that CVS’s communications invoked undue fear among patients, particularly those with serious health conditions. “CVS, you should be so ashamed, because you are scaring people,” she remarked.
Attorney Jerome H. Mouroux, representing the plaintiffs, highlighted the ethical implications of using patient information for political purposes, stating, “No one goes to the pharmacy expecting their personal data will be turned into a campaign tool.” With only two named plaintiffs, attorneys anticipate that the class could grow to “tens of thousands,” signaling widespread discontent among CVS customers statewide.
This case underscores the delicate balance between corporate interests and ethical responsibilities in healthcare communication.
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