Letter to Jon Leibowitz, Chair of the Federal Trade Comission

Letter

March 23, 2012

The Honarable Jon Leibowitz
Chairman, Federal Trade Comission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580

Dear Chairman Leibowitz:

The planned merger of Express Scripts, Inc. and Medco Health Solutions, currently under review by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has the very real potential to harm residents of rural areas, including much of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which I have the pleasure of serving in Congress. The FTC should acknowledge that the proposed merger will lead to increased prescription drug costs and limit the ability of Pennsylvanians to access vital medications through their local community pharmacies.

Many parties, including consumer advocates, patients, small businesses, and numerous Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, believe the merger of these pharmacy benefit managers will result in a market concentration powerful enough to significantly increase prescription drug prices for families -- many of which are already struggling to afford their medications.

Local community pharmacies are on the front lines of health care. These small businesses provide critical services that help to ensure the vitality of many communities. Residents of rural areas depend upon their pharmacies for prescription medications and other health services such as immunizations, health screenings and medical equipment. Rural communities often experience a shortage of other health professionals and local community pharmacies fill in the gaps, providing much needed care, while also improving health outcomes by limiting the harmful effects of preventable adverse drug interactions.

When testifying before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, Express Scripts, Inc.'s CEO George Paz responded to a question about the merger with, "I can't stop certain pharmacies from going out of business." Should this happen, consumer choice will be severely limited and the ancillary services that pharmacies provide in coordination with filling prescriptions will disappear, leaving rural residents to fend for themselves.

Given all that is at stake for families and rural communities, I respectfully request that you weigh the serious implications this merger has for the health and well being for our communities. Thank you for you consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn "GT" Thompson
Member of Congress

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