Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is calling on consumers to verify their eligibility for compensation related to purchases of certain generic drugs. This follows Maryland’s involvement in a $39.1 million settlement with Apotex, a generic drug manufacturer accused of conspiring to inflate prices and restrict competition.
The settlement, which also includes a $10 million agreement with Heritage Pharmaceuticals announced last fall, has now received the necessary approvals from all required states and territories. It was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, signaling a significant step forward in the multistate effort against price-fixing in the pharmaceutical industry.
“Today’s settlement is a hard-won victory for Marylanders who have been forced to pay inflated prices for essential medications for far too long,” Attorney General Brown stated. He emphasized the commitment to holding companies accountable and ensuring that Maryland consumers are compensated for the damages they suffered due to these illegal practices.
Consumers who purchased certain generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. Eligibility can be confirmed through the toll-free number 1-866-290-0182, by emailing [email protected], or by visiting www.AGGenericDrugs.com.
The settlement addresses allegations against Apotex and Heritage Pharmaceuticals for their involvement in conspiracies that manipulated drug prices and restricted competition. Both companies have agreed to cooperate in ongoing litigation against numerous other pharmaceutical firms and executives, and to implement internal reforms to promote fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
The legal actions, initiated by a coalition that includes nearly all U.S. states and territories, began in 2016 with multiple antitrust complaints. These cases have exposed an extensive network of collusion among industry executives, facilitated through social events and direct communications, aimed at suppressing competition and inflating prices across a wide range of generic drugs.
This comprehensive legal pursuit is backed by substantial evidence gathered from cooperating witnesses, over 20 million documents, and extensive phone records. It aims to dismantle a pervasive culture of collusion in the generics industry and restore competitive pricing for essential medications.
