UnitedHealth probe to focus on PBM unit, Capital Forum reports

Investing.com -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust leadership is considering redirecting its investigation into Unitedhealth Group (NYSE: UNH) to focus on the company’s pharmacy benefits management (PBM) unit, according to The Capital Forum, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The potential shift comes as top DOJ antitrust division officials have been influenced by President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at lowering drug prices and his critical comments about healthcare "middlemen" in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The UnitedHealth investigation was initially launched during the Biden administration and primarily examined the company’s acquisitions of healthcare providers and whether these acquisitions, combined with other business practices, violated the Sherman Act’s prohibition against monopolization.

This change in direction has created concern among some DOJ staff members who worry their earlier investigative work might be shelved, sources indicated. Staff working on the probe are now trying to find ways to incorporate leadership’s interest in the PBM aspect while preserving the core findings from their original investigation.

PBMs serve as intermediaries between drug manufacturers, health insurers, and pharmacies, managing prescription drug benefits for health plans and negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies. UnitedHealth stock is down around 1% in late trade Wednesday.

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