Madison: A 22-year-old man died after being unable to afford his essential asthma inhaler.
Cole Schmidtknecht had suffered from chronic asthma since childhood.
He was denied his usual inhaler due to a sudden price increase.
His prescription cost skyrocketed from $66.86 to $539.19 overnight.
Insurance Policy Change
Walgreens informed Cole that his insurance no longer covered his medication.
OptumRX had changed its policy in late 2023 without warning.
Under Wisconsin law, patients must receive 30 days’ notice for coverage changes.
Cole was never informed of this critical update.
Desperate Struggle
Without his daily inhaler, Cole relied on an old emergency inhaler.
For five days, he endured severe breathing difficulties.
His condition worsened until he suffered a massive asthma attack.
Emergency responders found him unconscious and struggling to breathe.
Fatal Outcome
Paramedics rushed Cole to the hospital but could not revive him.
Doctors placed him on life support in a desperate attempt to save him.
His parents faced the heartbreaking choice of ending life support.
On January 21, 2024, they made the painful decision.
Legal Action
Cole’s family has filed a lawsuit against OptumRX, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
They accuse the companies of negligence and wrongful death.
The lawsuit states the pharmacist failed to suggest alternative treatments.
Cole was not given any cost-effective options for his medication.
System Failure
The lawsuit argues Walgreens violated pharmacy guidelines by not informing Cole’s doctor.
His family believes his death was entirely preventable.
Consumer advocates highlight the dangers of rising prescription drug costs.
Critics demand stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
Court Battle
The case will be heard by U.S. District Judge Byron Browning Conway.
A ruling could set a precedent for future pharmaceutical lawsuits.
Many hope this case sparks reforms in prescription drug pricing.
Cole’s family vows to fight for justice in his memory.
