Drummond announces potential legal action over insulin costs

Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today he is exploring potential legal action against insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers for wrongful conduct that resulted in artificially increased prices for insulin.

Drummond has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for outside counsel to investigate conduct and potentially pursue litigation. 

“I will not allow price-gouging and greed to put in harm’s way innocent Oklahomans who are dependent on insulin to survive,” Drummond said. “I will fight to hold accountable anyone who has hiked insulin prices illegally and prioritized profits over patients.”

Insulin, a hormone that helps convert food into energy, is critical to controlling blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Nearly 13 percent of Oklahoma adults are diagnosed with diabetes.  

Bids are due no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26. The RFP can be found here. 

The RFP, Request for Proposals, is a call for interested parties to "investigate and potentially pursue legal action." 

The introduction to the RFP reads: 

"Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General Bid Instructions The Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”), in accordance with 74 O.S.Supp.2022, § 20i, hereby gives notice that it is issuing this request for proposals (“RFP”) for outside counsel to investigate and potentially pursue legal action related to wrongful conduct on the part of insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers that resulted in artificial and unnecessary increases in the price of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is critical to controlling blood sugar levels and treating diabetes, which affects nearly 13% of Oklahoma’s adult population. Pursuant to 74 O.S.Supp.2022, § 20i(K)(2), OAG is soliciting proposals on either an hourly or contingency basis, or a combination thereof.2  

Any law firm or lawyer is eligible to respond, provided the law firm or lawyer has been approved by the Attorney General according to 74 O.S.2021, § 20i and meets all requirements set forth in that section.

Information related to the Bid submission process is contained in these Instructions. Prospective respondents are urged to read the documents provided by the OAG and these Instructions carefully. Failure to do so shall be at the Respondent’s risk. "