Generic drug buyers have until March 2027 to claim price-fixing settlement money – This Week in Worcester

Massachusetts residents who bought generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 may qualify for payments from drugmakers accused of fixing prices, and they have until March 8, 2027, to file a claim.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell urged consumers to check their eligibility Thursday, Oct. 8, as she and a coalition of 45 states and territories asked a court to approve settlements with three more generic drug manufacturers.
Under the agreements, Ascend Laboratories will pay $400,000 and Mayne Pharma will pay $650,000 to the multi-state coalition. Citron Pharma, which has stopped doing business, agreed to non-monetary terms only. All three companies also agreed to internal reforms meant to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
Consumers can check their eligibility and file a claim at AGGenericDrugs.com. The claims administrator also takes questions toll-free at 866-290-0182 and by email at info@AGGenericDrugs.com.
In September, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted preliminary approval of the coalition’s plan to distribute settlement money to consumers, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office. Claims under that plan are due March 8, 2027.
The states previously reached settlements totaling $496.5 million with Sandoz, Glenmark, Lannett and Bausch, and Apotex and Heritage, along with Heritage’s parent company, Emcure.
The settlements stem from antitrust lawsuits the coalition began filing in 2016. The first complaint named Heritage, 17 other companies and two individuals, and it covered 15 generic drugs. Two former Heritage executives, Jeffery Glazer and Jason Malek, have since settled and now cooperate with the states.
The states filed a second complaint in 2019 against Teva Pharmaceuticals and 21 other generic drug manufacturers, naming 16 senior executives as defendants.
A third complaint, filed in June 2020, targets about 80 topical generic drugs such as creams and ointments. It names 26 companies and 10 executives, and it will go to trial first. Earlier this year, the states filed a fourth complaint alleging that Novartis AG, Sandoz Group AG and Sandoz AG bear liability for Sandoz’s alleged conduct and for fraudulently transferring assets.
The states built their cases on more than 20 million documents and on phone records covering more than 600 sales and pricing employees in the generics industry. Several cooperating witnesses also helped investigators.
According to the complaints, executives at competing companies met at industry dinners and golf outings and stayed in touch through frequent calls and text messages. The states allege the defendants used phrases such as “fair share” and “playing nice in the sandbox” to describe how they discouraged competition and raised prices.
Investigators also obtained a two-volume notebook in which one cooperating witness recorded calls with competitors and internal company meetings over several years.
Antitrust Division Chief Anthony Mariano and Deputy Chief Jennifer Greaney handled the case for Campbell’s office.
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