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# Drug Firms Agree to Pay $51 Million in Pay-to-Delay Suit
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/drug-firms-agree-to-pay-51-million-in-pay-to-delay-suit/
- Published: 2025-05-30T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T15:13:05.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5159277

AstraZeneca and Handa Pharmaceuticals have agreed to pay $51.4 million to resolve allegations they participated in a pay-for-delay scheme to block generic competition to AstraZeneca’s antipsychotic drug Seroquel XR.

The lawsuit was brought in 2019 by direct purchaser plaintiffs who requested preliminary approval of the proposed settlement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, according to Bloomberg news.

“The proposed cash settlements are in the best interests of the class, since, if finally approved, the settlements assure that class members will receive substantial cash payments while avoiding the inherent risks of trial and potential appeal,” the plaintiffs said.

The Federal Trade Commission opposes the pay-for-delay legal tactic, which it says is anticompetitive and costs consumers and taxpayers billions of dollars in higher drug costs each year.