Markets Wired

The FTC will provide refunds to nearly 13,000 consumers who paid significantly more for their drugs than they expected based on allegedly deceptive pricing claims made by CVS Caremark. Consumers eligible for refunds will receive all of the amount they overpaid for the drugs.

In January 2012, the FTC charged that CVS Caremark misrepresented the prices of certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs – including drugs used to treat breast cancer symptoms and epilepsy – at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. The claims caused many seniors and disabled consumers to pay significantly more for their drugs than they expected and pushed them into the “donut hole” – a term referring to the coverage gap where none of their drug costs are reimbursed – sooner than they anticipated or planned. The settlement barred the deceptive claims and required CVS Caremark to pay $5 million to reimburse affected Medicare Part D consumers for the price discrepancy.

Beginning on September 4, a redress administrator for the FTC, Rust Consulting, Inc., began mailing checks to victims of the deceptive conduct. The checks will be valid for 60 days from the date they are issued and must be cashed by then.

Consumers who have questions can call a toll-free hotline at 1-888-773-8392.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.