A couple from Wisconsin has taken legal action against Walgreens and a pharmacy benefits management company, claiming their son died due to an unexpected increase in the price of his asthma medication that he could not afford. Shanon and William Schmidtknecht, residents of Poynette, initiated their lawsuit in federal court in Milwaukee on January 21, which marks the one-year anniversary of their 22-year-old son Cole’s death.
The lawsuit reveals that Cole Schmidtknecht struggled with asthma throughout his life, managing his condition with daily doses of the medication Advair Diskus and its generic versions. On January 10, 2024, Cole visited a Walgreens in Appleton to refill his prescription, but was shocked to learn that the cost had escalated from $66 to $539 for out-of-pocket expenses. Due to this financial burden, he left the pharmacy without the necessary medication. In an attempt to cope with his condition, he relied on his rescue inhaler but tragically suffered a fatal asthma attack just days later.
The Schmidtknechts assert that the pharmacy benefits management firm, OptumRx, violated state law by increasing the price of the medication without justification and neglecting to provide the necessary 30-day advance notice about the price hike. Pharmacy benefits managers function as mediators between health insurance providers, prescription drug manufacturers, and pharmacies; according to the lawsuit, OptumRx processes prescription claims for over 66 million individuals across the nation.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Walgreens employees did not offer any alternatives for Cole to obtain his medication. They informed him that there were no less expensive options or generic alternatives available, did not contact OptumRx for any exceptions on his behalf, and did not reach out to Cole’s physician to ask for an exception, as asserted by his parents. The legal action seeks unspecified financial compensation.
Michael Trunk, one of the family’s attorneys, criticized the actions of both OptumRx and Walgreens, stating, “The conduct of both OptumRx and Walgreens was deplorable. The evidence in this case will show that both OptumRx and Walgreens put profits first and are directly responsible for Cole’s death.”
Representatives from OptumRx did not provide immediate comments when approached. However, in a statement released last April, the company expressed sympathy to the family, noting that a review of Cole’s claims confirmed he purchased a different asthma medication, generic Albuterol, for a $5 copayment on the same day he visited the pharmacy — a medication which he also acquired in October 2023. The company argued that his treatment was managed in accordance with standard industry practices and his insurance coverage.
Despite this, Trunk clarified that the $5 generic prescription Cole filled was for his rescue inhaler, not the daily Advair Diskus he desperately needed, which had suddenly become unaffordable. Walgreens has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the ongoing lawsuit.
