Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced Oct. 6 that he joined a coalition of 43 states and territories asking a federal court to approve a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals over alleged generic drug price-fixing. The motion for preliminary approval was filed Oct. 1 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
The states allege the two manufacturers took part in long-running conspiracies to inflate prices and reduce competition. The settlement also resolves allegations that Sandoz's international affiliates, Novartis AG, Sandoz AG and Sandoz Group AG, took part and moved assets to avoid liability. Sandoz agreed to injunctive terms that include internal reforms to support fair competition. Washington's share is more than $12 million.
Consumers who bought a generic prescription drug between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. Washington says people can check eligibility at www.AGGenericDrugs.com, by calling 1-866-290-0182, or by emailing info@AGGenericDrugs.com. Businesses in Washington and Idaho that indirectly bought or reimbursed the drugs at issue may also qualify, through the site's corporate entities page.
The court has not yet approved the deal, so no payments are scheduled. This settlement follows earlier ones with Glenmark, Lannett, Bausch, Apotex and Heritage, which are part of a series of generic drug antitrust cases the states began in 2016.