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Montana files lawsuit alleging price fixing by drug manufacturers

Posted at 9:07 PM, May 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-14 07:10:09-04
Prescription Pills
(MTN News file photo)

HELENA – Montana is filing a lawsuit alleging price-fixing among the makers of more than 100 different generic drugs.

The state is joined by 43 other states and territories in the court action that alleges a broad conspiracy among 20 generic drug makers. It claims they manipulated prices and reduced competition.

“Montanans have been hit hard by the often shockingly high prices of prescription drugs. The evidence in this case shows that some of the most well-known generic drug manufactures were involved in a widespread conspiracy to fix prices and divide up market share, with the direct result of harming consumers in need of life-sustaining medicine,” Attorney General Fox said.

“The fact that generic drugs are supposed to be more affordable makes this conduct all the more troubling and harmful. We are committed to prosecuting and investigating this collusive conduct until these companies are held accountable for the harm they have caused,” he added in a statement.

The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) said the drugs range from capsules to ointments to antibiotics, even contraceptives. In some cases, the DOJ says coordinated prices hikes were over 1,000%.

The lawsuit seeks damages, civil penalties and court orders to restore competition to the generic drug market. The lawsuit also names 15 individual senior executives as defendants.

Click here to view the lawsuit.