Cole Schmidtknecht, a 22-year-old with asthma, died after being unable to afford his inhaler medication, costing $539.19 out of pocket. His family filed a federal lawsuit against Walgreens and OptumRx. They are seeking justice for Cole’s death and aiming to bring change to the flawed healthcare system. The lawsuit alleges that OptumRx discontinued coverage of Cole’s inhaler, only listing newer brands on their formulary that provided kickbacks. Cole was not given proper notice of the change and Walgreens did not offer alternatives. The lawsuit accuses both companies of putting profits first and neglecting patient care, resulting in Cole’s death. The family is advocating for reform in the pharmaceutical industry, with Cole’s story being shared in Congressional hearings and related legislation being introduced. Following his death, the manufacturer announced lower costs for inhalers, prompting investigations into pricing practices. The Schmidtknechts remember Cole as a curious, adventurous, and fun-loving individual. They continue to seek justice and push for PBM reform at the state level. The lawsuit is ongoing, with the family aiming to shed light on issues that impact individuals nationwide.
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