In the complex landscape of independent pharmacies, we often encounter heartbreaking stories of patients struggling with the overwhelming burden of unaffordable medications. One particularly tragic account is that of 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht from Poynette, Wisconsin. His story highlights the vital role that independent pharmacies play in our communities and underscores the urgent need to address the unchecked power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and chain pharmacies, which often prioritize profits over patient care.
On January 21, 2024, Cole Schmidtknecht experienced an asthma attack that tragically took his life. For years, he had successfully managed his chronic asthma through consistent use of Advair Diskus, and its generic equivalents. However, during a visit to a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton on January 10, 2024, Cole learned that the price of his medication had surged from a manageable $66 to an astonishing $539. Faced with this drastic jump in cost, Cole walked away from the pharmacy empty-handed, unable to afford the critical maintenance inhaler he so desperately needed. With no alternative but to rely solely on his rescue inhaler for relief, he tragically succumbed to a severe asthma attack just eleven days later.
In those crucial moments, Cole’s usual medication, a routine he had come to trust, was no longer accessible. His grieving family firmly believes that had Cole been granted access to his maintenance medication, he might have still been alive today, enjoying a future filled with potential.
Now, Cole’s parents have initiated a lawsuit against Walgreens and OptumRx, claiming that the companies’ failure to inform him about the drastic price increase and present viable alternatives contributed to his untimely death. Their legal action sheds light on the critical flaws within a healthcare system that allows life-saving medications to become suddenly and drastically unaffordable for those who need them most.
Cole’s story is not merely a tragedy; it serves as a resounding call to action. No individual should ever find themselves faced with the impossible choice of either affording their medication or preserving their health.
Cole’s death was preventable, and while his family fights for justice, independent pharmacists must also advocate for change. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and chain pharmacies will not change unless we compel them to do so. The independent pharmacy community has never been more powerful or more essential. The responsibility is ours. If we take action now, we can reclaim our industry, protect our patients, and ensure that no one else suffers the same fate as Cole.
Join the NCPA Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In to advocate for policies that protect patient care and hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) accountable. This is your opportunity to meet with lawmakers, share our stories, and demand reform. By signing up for the NCPA Fly-In, you’re taking an important step toward reclaiming our industry and advocating for our patients. Don’t stop there; explore additional resources from NCPA to stay informed, get involved, and strengthen our collective voice.
Learn more and register here: NCPA Congressional Pharmacy Fly-in
