Attorney General Phil Weiser announced settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex, totaling $49.1 million, to resolve allegations of price manipulation and reduced competition in the generic drug market. The settlements are part of a multistate antitrust lawsuit involving several states and territories.
Both companies have agreed to cooperate with ongoing litigation and implement internal reforms to ensure compliance with fair competition laws. The settlement with Heritage amounts to $10 million and will be filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Apotex's settlement is for $39.1 million and will be finalized soon.
Weiser stated, "Coloradans who rely on these medicines to treat diseases and maintain their health were all harmed by the brazen conduct of these companies and their executives." He emphasized the importance of holding other defendants accountable for similar conduct.
The lawsuits began in 2016, involving nearly all states and territories, targeting multiple corporate defendants including Heritage, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and others. These cases focus on various generic drugs used for treating conditions such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, among others.
Investigations revealed extensive conspiracies involving industry executives meeting at social events and communicating through calls and messages to coordinate illegal agreements. Terms like "fair share" and "playing nice in the sandbox" were reportedly used by defendants to describe their collusion efforts.
Consumers who purchased affected generic drugs between 2010 and 2018 may be eligible for compensation. For eligibility information, consumers can call 1-866-290-0182 or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com.