US: Maine joins 19 other states in generic drug antitrust lawsuit

Maine has joined 19 other states in a federal suit alleging price fixing among makers of generic drugs.

Attorney General Janet T. Mills has joined other state attorneys general in filing the lawsuit against generic drug-makers Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Auribindo Pharma USA, Citron Pharma, Mayne Pharma (USA) Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.

The suit alleges that they entered into numerous illegal conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices and reduce competition in the United States for two drugs: doxycycline hyclate delayed release, an antibiotic, and glyburide, an oral diabetes medication.

The lawsuit was filed under seal in the US District Court for the District of Connecticut.

“Many Mainers rely on lower-cost generic prescription drugs in order to make ends meet,” Mills said in a statement. “It is unconscionable for anyone to manipulate the system in order to line their pockets at the expense of people who need access to affordable medications in order to remain healthy. Maine and the other states will stand up for our citizens and against the anticompetitive conduct alleged here.”

In 2015, generic drug sales in the United States were estimated at $74.5 billion. Generics make up 88% of all prescriptions written in the United States.

Full Content: Mainebiz

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