Drugs

$17.9 Million Settlement in Generic Drug Price-Fixing Case

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 47 other attorneys general have secured $17.85 million from drug manufacturers Bausch and Lannett to resolve allegations that the companies participated in a long-running conspiracy to inflate prices and limit competition for generic drugs. The settlements are the latest developments in an ongoing multistate antitrust litigation targeting dozens of pharmaceutical companies accused of coordinating price increases and rigging bids for more than 100 generic medications. According to the attorneys general, some of the drugs affected by the scheme saw price increases of more than 1,000%.

Under the agreements, Lannett will pay $13.77 million and Bausch will pay $4.08 million. The states allege that the companies engaged in a coordinated and systematic effort to fix prices, avoid competition, and allocate market share for a wide range of generic drugs. State attorneys general claim industry executives communicated through phone calls, emails, text messages, and in-person meetings — including industry events and social gatherings — to reach and enforce illegal agreements.

According to the states, the drugs are used to treat conditions ranging from routine infections to diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, HIV, and ADHD. In one cited example, the price of the heart medication digoxin allegedly tripled, significantly increasing costs for patients.

The settlements also require Bausch and Lannett to implement internal compliance measures, including antitrust compliance programs and annual training for sales and management staff.

The latest settlements follow earlier agreements, including a $49.1 million settlement reached in 11/2024 with Apotex and Heritage Pharmaceuticals. Litigation against other corporate and individual defendants remains ongoing, the attorneys general note.

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome