Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced on December 8, 2025, that Oklahoma has reached a settlement of over $5 million with CVS Caremark. The agreement addresses allegations that the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) paid pharmacies in the state less than the actual cost of medications dispensed between January 2024 and August 2025.
CVS Caremark will pay $5,081,520.69 to the Attorney General’s Office. These funds are designated to reimburse pharmacies for 68,099 prescriptions where they were underpaid relative to drug costs.
“When your local pharmacy is paid pennies on the dollar, or even loses money filling your prescription, it can’t keep its doors open,” Drummond said. “This settlement puts millions of dollars back into Oklahoma pharmacies so they can continue serving their communities. We’re protecting your access to the prescriptions you need and the pharmacists you trust, especially in small towns where the local pharmacy is often the only option for healthcare.”
Deputy Attorney General Michael Leake recognized the contributions of independent and community pharmacies in bringing forward complaints. “This outcome would not have been possible without independent and community pharmacies willing to document their losses and stand up for their patients,” Leake said. “Their complaints gave us the evidence we needed to secure restitution, penalties, and meaningful reforms that will protect Oklahoma patients and pharmacies.”
The Attorney General’s Office plans to notify eligible pharmacies in writing with instructions on how to receive payments from the settlement. Pharmacies suspecting underpayment are encouraged to file complaints with the PBM Compliance and Enforcement Unit.
The agreement includes fines as well as coverage of investigation costs incurred by the state. Seventy-five percent of these fines will be distributed directly to affected pharmacies; twenty-five percent will fund ongoing oversight efforts by the Attorney General’s office.
As part of non-monetary terms, CVS Caremark has agreed to review payment disputes using national cost benchmarks, allow use of actual cost documentation during challenges, respond within ten calendar days as required by state law, and collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office for a 90-day period to resolve further complaints.
CVS Caremark denies any wrongdoing but chose settlement over continued litigation due to associated costs and uncertainties.
