HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2023-146BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASIIINGTON
Resolution No. 2023 "' t 4 b
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN INSULIN PRICING
LITIGATION
WHEREAS: Diabetes is an epidemic and public health crisis across the United States; and
WHEREAS: Insulin is used to treat patients with diabetes and is often times required for
survival; and
WHEREAS: Three drug companies manufacture 99 percent of all insulins which are almost
exclusively distributed through Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs); and
WHEREAS: Insulin manufactures have raised prices of diabetes medications by as much as
1000 percent, despite the actual cost to produce decreasing; and
WHEREAS: This Insulin Pricing Scheme has been investigated and documented in a number
of government reports and has resulted in widespread litigation; and
WHEREAS: Litigation claims include violations of state consumer protection statutes, unjust
enrichment, civil conspiracy, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and
Comrpt Organizations Act; and
WHEREAS: The law firm, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., has extensive experience litigating
pharmaceutical cases on behalf of counties; and
WHEREAS: Keller Rohrback, desires to represent Kittitas County in its claims against insulin
manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers; and
WHEREAS: Kittitas County finds that it is in the best interest of the County to engage Keller
Rohrback to represent its interests against those entities responsible for the Insulin
Pricing Litigation.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Board of County Commissioners hereby
authorizes the Kittitas County Prosecutor's Office to engage Keller Rohrback
L.L.P. for representation in Insulin Pricing Litigation.
ADoprED this 5ft auvYfu, 2023.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTYO WASHINGTON
J
ABSENT
Commissioner
Clerk of the Board