Louisiana Attorney General Orders CVS to Cease Political Messaging via Customer Data

By: Ark-La-Tex Staff Writer

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued a cease-and-desist order to CVS Health, accusing the company of misusing customer contact information to distribute political messages aimed at opposing a state legislative proposal. The June 12 order alleges that CVS Caremark, which manages prescription drug plans for numerous Louisiana residents, sent mass text messages containing misleading information about House Bill 358, urging recipients to contact lawmakers and oppose the bill.

The legislation in question sought to prohibit companies from simultaneously owning both pharmacy benefit managers and retail pharmacies. CVS Health Corporation owns both CVS retail pharmacy locations and CVS Caremark, one of the nation’s three largest pharmacy benefit managers, serving more than 100 million Americans. These companies act as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, negotiating prices between drug manufacturers and pharmacies.

The Attorney General’s office argued that CVS’s use of personal contact information to send unsolicited political messages constituted a violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The messages reportedly claimed that the proposed bill would result in pharmacy closures and increased medication costs, sparking bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who described the campaign as deceptive and inappropriate.

Governor Jeff Landry responded to the incident by condemning the use of patient data for political lobbying. His administration has expressed concerns that CVS’s actions reflect a broader ethical issue about how corporations handle sensitive consumer information, especially when it is used to sway legislative outcomes.

CVS, for its part, defended the campaign, stating that it had a responsibility to inform customers about how the legislation might impact their access to medications. The company maintained that its outreach efforts were intended to increase awareness, not to manipulate public opinion.

Although the bill passed the Louisiana House with significant support, it failed to advance in the Senate. Governor Landry has since announced plans to call a special legislative session to reintroduce similar measures aimed at supporting independent pharmacies and reducing prescription drug costs.

The cease-and-desist order underscores a growing conflict over the power of pharmacy benefit managers and their role in shaping health care policy. As the Attorney General’s office continues its investigation, CVS may face legal consequences for its use of consumer data in political advocacy, a development that could have broader implications for corporate conduct in the healthcare sector.