Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State AGs To Expand Price-Fixing Case To Go After Big Pharma Players For Generic Drug Costs
Reuters: U.S. States Allege Broad Generic Drug Price-Fixing Collusion
Forty-six U.S. state attorneys general will seek to expand a lawsuit alleging price fixing of generic drugs to 18 companies and 15 medicines on Tuesday, including Novartis AG's generic unit Sandoz and India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, people familiar with the matter said. The original complaint, being litigated in federal court in Pennsylvania, describes an industry-wide conspiracy in which companies divide up the market as a way to push up prices. (Freifield, 10/31)
The Associated Press: States Seek To Expand Lawsuit Against Generic Drugmakers
Led by Connecticut, the states sought a federal court’s permission Tuesday to widen their complaint, which alleges a number of illegal agreements among 18 manufacturers to fix prices and divvy up the market for specific generic drugs including treatments for high blood pressure, arthritis and asthma. Mylan N.V., one of the drugmakers named in the suit, said it has investigated the allegations thoroughly and “found no evidence of price fixing.” Mylan also said it stands by Rajiv Malik, its president since January 2012 who was named in the expanded complaint. (10/31)
The Hill: Mylan Executive Targeted In Generic Drug Price-Fixing Probe
A top executive at Mylan is the target of a multi-state investigation into price fixing by generic drug manufacturers, state attorneys general said Tuesday. The state officials are seeking to sue Rajiv Malik, president and executive director of Mylan N.V., as part of a larger investigation by 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to a statement by Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen. (Weixel, 10/31)
Bloomberg: Mylan's President Targeted In Generic Drug Pricing Probe
Mylan NV’s second-ranking executive was named in a civil investigation by dozens of states conducting a multiyear probe into alleged price collusion by makers of generic drugs that is now targeting senior managers. State attorneys general said they’re seeking to sue Rajiv Malik, Mylan’s president and executive director, as part of an expanded complaint against pharmaceutical companies from 45 states and the District of Columbia, according to a statement by Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen. (Chen and McLaughlin, 10/31)
Meanwhile, in Maryland —
The Associated Press: Maryland Officials Tout New Generic Drug Price-Gouging Law
Following Maryland’s recent efforts as the first state to enact a law that protects consumers from generic prescription drug price-gouging, local leaders and health care advocates on Tuesday highlighted the benefits of the legislation and urged Marylanders to share their personal stories about drug affordability. The law went into effect Oct. 1 and restricts manufacturers of generic and off-patent prescription drugs from price gouging, or the “excessive and not justified” increase in the cost of a drug, according to a state analysis. (Slater, 10/31)
For more news on high drug costs, check out our weekly feature, Prescription Drug Watch, which includes coverage and perspectives of the issue.
