WAYNE, Pa., May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan & Maniskas, LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased Express Scripts Holding Company ("Express Scripts" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ESRX) securities between February 24, 2015 and March 21, 2016, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Express Scripts shareholders may, no later than July 5, 2016, move the Court for appointment as a lead plaintiff of the Class. If you purchased shares of Express Scripts and would like to learn more about these claims or if you wish to discuss these matters and have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights, contact Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire toll-free at (877) 316-3218 or to sign up online, visit: www.rmclasslaw.com/cases/esrx.

The Complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Defendants violated provisions of the Exchange Act by issuing false and misleading press releases, financial statements, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and statements during investor conference calls.  Express Scripts is the largest independent pharmacy benefit manager ("PBM") in the country. As a PBM, Express Scripts administers the prescription drug benefit component of its customers' health insurance plans. Express Scripts also negotiates drug prices with pharmacies and establishes a network of pharmacies through which patients can fill their prescriptions.

Express Scripts' most important client is Anthem, Inc. ("Anthem"), one of the largest health benefits companies in the United States, which represents approximately 14% of Express Scripts' annual revenues. Pursuant to the Company's contract with Anthem, Anthem may periodically conduct a market analysis to ensure that Anthem is receiving "competitive benchmark pricing" on drugs purchased through plans administered by Express Scripts. If Anthem determines that the pricing terms under the agreement with the Company are no longer market competitive, then Anthem may propose new pricing terms to ensure that Anthem is receiving competitive benchmark pricing, and Express Scripts is obligated to negotiate in good faith over the proposed new pricing terms.

Throughout the Class Period, Express Scripts repeatedly assured investors that its relationship with Anthem remained strong and that it was providing Anthem, and all of its customers, with high quality service. Express Scripts also touted that it was performing at a high level financially and operationally. In addition, the Company addressed the ongoing drug pricing negotiations with Anthem, stating that Express Scripts was committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement, and continuing its successful working relationship with its most important client. As a result of these misrepresentations, Express Scripts stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period.

The truth began to be revealed on January 12, 2016, when Anthem publicly threatened to terminate its relationship with Express Scripts unless the Company would renegotiate its agreement with Anthem to deliver more than $3 billion in annual savings to Anthem.  Then, on March 21, 2016, Anthem sued Express Scripts alleging that the Company breached its contract with Anthem by failing to negotiate drug pricing terms in good faith.  The lawsuit revealed a conflict between Express Scripts and Anthem dating back to at least February 2015, including allegations that Express Scripts was experiencing severe operational problems that interfered with its ability to adequately serve Anthem and exposed Anthem to increased regulatory scrutiny.  More importantly, investors learned that Anthem would almost certainly either renegotiate its contract to pay billions of dollars less to Express Scripts, or worse, seek to engage a competing PBM resulting in the complete loss of Anthem's business.  These disclosures caused a material decline in the price of Express Scripts stock.

If you are a member of the class, you may, no later than July 5, 2016, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff of the class.  A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.  In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class.  Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as "lead plaintiff."  Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.  You may retain Ryan & Maniskas, LLP or other counsel of your choice, to serve as your counsel in this action.

For more information regarding this, please contact Ryan & Maniskas, LLP (Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire) toll-free at (877) 316-3218 or by email at [email protected] or visit: www.rmclasslaw.com/cases/esrx.  For more information about class action cases in general or to learn more about Ryan & Maniskas, LLP, please visit our website: www.rmclasslaw.com.

Ryan & Maniskas, LLP is a national shareholder litigation firm.  Ryan & Maniskas, LLP is devoted to protecting the interests of individual and institutional investors in shareholder actions in state and federal courts nationwide.

CONTACT: Ryan & Maniskas, LLP
Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire
995 Old Eagle School Rd., Suite 311
Wayne, PA 19087
484-588-5516
877-316-3218
www.rmclasslaw.com/cases/esrx  
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prn/20121112/MM11729LOGO 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ryan--maniskas-llp-announces-class-action-lawsuit-against-express-scripts-holding-company-300264527.html

SOURCE Ryan & Maniskas, LLP