(Reuters) - Activist investor Carl Icahn fired the latest salvo against Cigna Corp's (N:CI) deal to buy pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, saying drug rebates that PBMs receive from drugmakers will ultimately be eliminated, dealing a blow to the industry.
Icahn, who has a 0.56 percent stake in Cigna, on Tuesday made public his opposition to the health insurer's $52 billion purchase of Express Scripts Holding Co (O:ESRX), citing regulatory hurdles and the growing threat from Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).
"Everyone wants drug prices lower — it is a bipartisan issue. I have little doubt that legislation will ultimately be passed to do away with rebates," Icahn said in a letter.