Wisconsin Couple Sues Walgreens and Optum Rx, Alleging Son’s Death Due to $500 Price Rise for Asthma Medication
The Lawsuit
Shanon and William Schmidtknecht, of Poynette, Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Milwaukee on January 21, alleging that their 22-year-old son, Cole, died because he couldn’t afford a sudden $500 spike in his asthma medication.
The Medication and the Price Increase
According to the lawsuit, Cole Schmidtknecht suffered from asthma all his life and managed it with daily inhaler doses of Advair Diskus and its generic equivalents. On January 10, 2024, he stopped at a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton to refill his prescription and was told the cost had jumped from $66 to $539 out-of-pocket.
Consequences of the Price Increase
Unable to afford the new cost, Cole left the pharmacy without the medication. He tried to manage his condition with his rescue inhaler but suffered a fatal asthma attack days later, according to the lawsuit.
The Lawsuit Against Optum Rx
The Schmidtknechts allege that pharmacy benefits management company OptumRx violated Wisconsin law by raising the cost of the medication without a valid medical reason and failing to provide 30 days’ advance notice of drug price increases. OptumRx services prescription claims for more than 66 million people across the United States.
Lack of Alternatives
The lawsuit alleges that Walgreens pharmacy staffers failed to offer Cole any workarounds to obtain his usual medication. They told him there were no cheaper alternatives or generic medications available, they didn’t contact OptumRx to request an exception on Cole’s behalf, and they didn’t ask Cole’s doctor to request an exception for him.
The Legal Action
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. “The conduct of both OptumRx and Walgreens was deplorable,” said one of the family’s attorneys, Michael Trunk. “The evidence in this case will show that both OptumRx and Walgreens put profits first, and are directly responsible for Cole’s death.”
OptumRx’s Response
OptumRx spokespeople didn’t immediately reply to messages seeking comment. In a statement last April, the company said that a review of Cole’s claims showed that on the day he visited the pharmacy, he did buy a different asthma medication, generic Albuterol, for a $5 co-pay. However, his parents’ attorney disputed this, saying that the $5 generic prescription Cole filled was for his rescue inhaler, not the Advair Diskus inhaler that he took daily.
Conclusion
The tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of sudden and unjustified price increases on essential medications. The lawsuit seeks justice for Cole’s untimely death and aims to hold OptumRx and Walgreens accountable for their alleged role in his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the cause of Cole Schmidtknecht’s death?
A: The lawsuit alleges that Cole died from a fatal asthma attack after being unable to afford a sudden $500 spike in his asthma medication.
Q: Who is OptumRx?
A: OptumRx is a pharmacy benefits management company that services prescription claims for more than 66 million people across the United States.
Q: What is the lawsuit seeking?
A: The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to hold OptumRx and Walgreens accountable for their alleged role in Cole’s death.
Q: Has OptumRx commented on the lawsuit?
A: OptumRx spokespeople haven’t immediately replied to messages seeking comment, but the company issued a statement last April denying any wrongdoing.
