Palmetto State News

Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced significant progress in the multistate litigation against generic drug manufacturers accused of conspiring to inflate prices and limit competition. This development includes cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex, amounting to $49.1 million.

The settlement resolves allegations that both companies participated in conspiracies to manipulate prices, reduce competition, and restrain trade regarding various generic prescription drugs. As part of the agreement, both companies will cooperate with ongoing litigations led by Connecticut against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. They have also agreed to implement internal reforms to ensure compliance with antitrust laws.

A motion for preliminary approval of a $10 million settlement with Heritage was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in Hartford. Meanwhile, a $39.1 million settlement with Apotex awaits signatures from all necessary states and territories before finalization.

Attorney General Wilson stated, "I am proud to join my fellow state attorneys general in resolving this matter related to generic drug price fixing. This settlement resolves a portion of the litigation, and the litigation continues as we seek to hold other defendants accountable and protect consumers."

Connecticut’s Assistant Attorney General Joseph Nielsen leads nearly all states and territories in filing three antitrust complaints since 2016. The first complaint included Heritage among other defendants; two former executives from Heritage have settled and are cooperating. The second complaint filed in 2019 targets Teva Pharmaceuticals along with other major manufacturers. The third focuses on topical generic drugs involving numerous corporate and individual defendants.

These cases stem from investigations supported by evidence from cooperating witnesses, extensive document databases, phone records, and communications between industry executives who allegedly engaged in illegal agreements during social events.

The coalition includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Utah U.S Virgin Islands Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico.

Consumers who purchased generic prescription drugs from Heritage or Apotex between 2010 and 2016 may be eligible for compensation. For eligibility inquiries call 1-866-290-0182 (Toll-Free), email [email protected], or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com.