{"id":690791,"date":"2022-09-30T12:36:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T16:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/seeking-more-equitable-contract-kroger-health-sends-notice-of-intent-to-terminate-to-express-scripts-inc\/"},"modified":"2022-09-30T12:36:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T16:36:20","slug":"seeking-more-equitable-contract-kroger-health-sends-notice-of-intent-to-terminate-to-express-scripts-inc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/seeking-more-equitable-contract-kroger-health-sends-notice-of-intent-to-terminate-to-express-scripts-inc\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking More Equitable Contract, Kroger Health Sends Notice of Intent to Terminate to Express Scripts, Inc."},"content":{"rendered":"
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PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Express Scripts drug pricing model is unsustainable for Kroger and consumers; access to affordable prescriptions and wellness services remains company’s top priority<\/i>\n <\/p>\n

\n CINCINNATI<\/span>, Sept. 30, 2022<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ — Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), yesterday provided Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI), written notice of its intention to terminate their pharmacy provider agreement for commercial customers. Since February, Kroger has attempted on dozens of occasions to negotiate in good faith with ESI \u2013 seeking a more equitable and fair contract that lowers cost, increases access, and delivers greater transparency \u2013 but there has been little to no progress to date.<\/p>\n

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“Kroger is doing everything possible to deliver greater value for our customers and navigate this ongoing period of record inflation. We do not believe Kroger customers should have to pay higher costs to increase Express Scripts’ profits,” said Colleen Lindholz<\/span>, president of Kroger Health.<\/p>\n

“We took the necessary step of announcing our intention to terminate our contract with Express Scripts because the current arrangement does not enable Kroger to improve health access, deliver greater pricing transparency, and keep prices affordable for our more than 17 million patients. So far, our efforts to negotiate in good faith have not delivered an agreement in the best interest of our customers \u2013 especially members of the military and their families receiving benefits through Tricare \u2013 that protects them from rising costs amid record inflation. Kroger remains willing to negotiate any contract with Express Scripts that results in a fair, transparent agreement at a rate that benefits everyone \u2013 particularly our customers \u2013 and prevents any disruption of services.”<\/p>\n

Why is Kroger taking this step now?<\/p>\n