Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has announced two cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex, amounting to $49.1 million. This resolution is part of a broader effort involving 50 states and territories addressing allegations that the companies manipulated prices and reduced competition for various generic prescription drugs.
AG Ford stated, “I am pleased to announce these two companies have done the right thing by settling with the states to resolve these claims, both for consumers and for competition in the marketplace.” He emphasized his office's commitment to defending consumer rights against unlawful market manipulation.
Residents of Nevada who purchased generic drugs from Heritage or Apotex between 2010 and 2018 may qualify for compensation. Eligibility can be determined by contacting 1-866-290-0182, emailing info@AGGenericDrugs.com, or visiting www.AGGenericDrugs.com.
Both companies have agreed to cooperate in ongoing multistate litigations led by Connecticut against multiple corporate defendants and executives. They will also implement internal reforms to promote fair competition and comply with antitrust laws. The $10 million settlement with Heritage is pending preliminary approval in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The $39.1 million settlement with Apotex awaits signatures from all necessary parties before finalization.
These settlements precede an upcoming trial in Hartford, Connecticut. Since 2016, a coalition of attorneys general has filed three antitrust complaints. The first involved Heritage among other defendants concerning 15 generic drugs. Former Heritage executives Jeffery Glazer and Jason Malek are cooperating after entering settlement agreements.
The second complaint from 2019 targets Teva Pharmaceuticals along with other major manufacturers and several senior executives. The third complaint focuses on topical generic drugs worth billions in sales, naming numerous corporate and individual defendants.
The investigations are based on evidence from cooperating witnesses, extensive document databases, phone records, and notes detailing communications within the industry. Defendants allegedly used terms like "fair share" to describe their anti-competitive practices.
AG Ford's announcement aligns him with a coalition led by Connecticut Assistant Attorney General Joseph Nielsen, which includes numerous states and territories across the United States.