Protest Location Will Be on the Public Sidewalk at 1 Express Way, St. Louis, MO 63121
About The Protest: ON MAY 17, 2024, PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PHARMACISTS, PHYSICIANS, ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS WILL COME TOGETHER TO BOLDLY TAKE A STAND AGAINST ONE OF THE THREE LARGEST PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS AND MAIL ORDER PHARMACIES IN THE NATION, EXPRESS SCRIPTS!
Many patients across the nation are forced or steered to Express Scripts against their will as it is the only option of coverage allowed by the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) or insurance company. Express Scripts is a PBM and mail order pharmacy. Express Scripts often uses their own PBM to steer patients to their own pharmacy. Patients have faced life-threatening delays and interruptions in treatment, and some have been forced to receive medications such as room temperature medications not stored at the temperatures proven safe by drug manufacturers as the only option of coverage.
Express Scripts also uses their PBM portion of their business to restrict access to medications by restricting medications on the list of covered medications. Physicians are hiring additional staff to deal with long, exhaustive obstacle courses to obtain the medications needed for their patients.
Express Scripts has a 1-star rating on the Better Business Bureau that highlights this Pattern of Complaints:
“Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to use caution when considering doing business with Express Scripts. BBB has received a pattern of consumer complaints alleging delays or failure to ship correct prescriptions or medications; failure to accept returns or medications which were shipped in error; failure to issue refunds; debiting credit or debit cards for prescriptions not shipped and poor customer service.”
When patients are so graciously allowed by their PBM to use their local pharmacies, PBMs like Express Scripts also oversee reimbursements to competitor pharmacies & often reimburse competitor pharmacies below their cost, causing closures of local pharmacies in the most underserved rural and urban areas across America. 30% of small locally owned pharmacies are expected to close this year.
Upon advocating for regulation, legislation, & protection from these pharmacies, advocates find themselves against one of the wealthiest lobbyist organizations in America, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), which has in the last year doubled the amount they’re investing in lobbying by the millions, making it almost impossible for protection & justice. It’s time to demand it! Patients deserve ethical treatment and safe access to their local pharmacies. Often, many are “too sick to fight,” & many pharmacists fear retaliation for speaking publicly about these issues. We need your voice!
DIRECTIONS, TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Directions From St. Louis Airport: Take the ramp on the right for I-70 East and head toward St Louis. At Exit 240, head right on the ramp for MO-N toward University Blvd. Keep right, heading toward Touhill Arts Center / UMSL. Turn right onto University Place Dr.
We encourage all attendees to utilize public transportation and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc) in an effort to minimize parking overflow issues surrounding the protest site
Parking and Public Transportation: https://www.metrostlouis.org/park-and-ride/ The North Hanley Location is near the location of the Express Scripts protest. Park on the back side of the parking lot closer to the road that runs alongside where we will be conveniently protesting. The lot does mention that it is for “Metro customers only.” Upon calling, they stated that we could park without a pass for the day only. They suggested keeping personal belongings out of sight. If you prefer to take the Metro transit system, the station is 2 stops away from the Airport. You can buy a MetroStLouis Day Pass Online for $5 at https://www.metrostlouis.org/
LODGING
Nearby Hotels: If you would like to book a room for the night, there are several great hotels nearby.
- Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport, Best Western Plus St. Louis Airport Hotel
Bring The Family & Explore The City: Our goal is to get our message across peacefully and safely to push forward change. People of all ages can attend. If you would like to make this a weekend trip. St. Louis has many great sightseeing opportunities. Here are some of our family’s favorite places: St. Louis Zoo (free entry), The City Museum, Grants Farm, The Botanical Gardens, & the St. Louis Arch. If you’re a baseball fan, The St. Louis Cardinals will have games 17th – 19th against the Boston Red Sox.
Registration is encouraged but not required. You may register at www.uniteforsafemedications.com/protest