Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Press Release
Attorney General’s Statement On Investigation Into Rite Aid Drug Discount Program
August 20, 2010
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that he is investigating whether Rite Aid illegally blamed its increased drug charges on a new law that requires the chain to extend the same discounts to the state’s Medicaid program that it offers all consumers.
Blumenthal said he will investigate in cooperation with other state agencies, including the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
The Rite Aid investigation follows a similar recent investigation into CVS Caremark’s threat to terminate a consumer discount drug program in order to avoid providing discounts to the Medicaid program. CVS ultimately agreed to maintain its program.
“Rite Aid must do the right thing -- to provide the drug discounts that it has promised to Connecticut consumers,” Blumenthal said. “Just as CVS responsibly retained its discount program, Rite Aid should do the same. Rite Aid should not attempt to increase drug prices charged to Connecticut consumers -- and cloak its own financial decisions as being required by state law.”