Viatris Unit Mylan Cleared from DOJ Antitrust Investigation

Viatris announced on Tuesday that its subsidiary, Mylan, is no longer a subject of the U.S. DOJ antitrust investigation into alleged price fixing within the generic drug industry. This development marks a significant turn in a probe that has scrutinized Mylan and several other major pharmaceutical companies for over eight years.

The DOJ’s investigation targeted Viatris’s Mylan, along with other prominent drugmakers including Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, over accusations of engaging in anticompetitive practices to fix the prices of certain generic drugs. This prolonged scrutiny has also spurred multiple states to file lawsuits against these companies for similar antitrust violations.

Viatris, established through the 2020 merger of Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn business, produces a range of generic and branded medications, including the well-known erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The specific investigation concerning Mylan was centered on the pricing and marketing strategies of its generic doxycycline antibiotic, a medication used to treat various bacterial infections such as acne, pneumonia, Lyme disease, chlamydia, and syphilis. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s database, doxycycline is manufactured by over a dozen companies.

In a statement, Viatris conveyed that the DOJ does not foresee any further actions regarding the pricing and sales practices of its generic drugs. However, the company did not provide details on the rationale behind the DOJ’s decision to drop Mylan from the probe.

Despite this reprieve, Viatris emphasized its commitment to defending itself against the remaining civil lawsuits related to the DOJ allegations of antitrust behavior. The company continues to navigate the legal landscape as it maintains its stance against these claims.

This latest development provides some relief for Viatris amid ongoing legal challenges but underscores the broader scrutiny facing the pharmaceutical industry over drug pricing practices. As the landscape evolves, Viatris remains vigilant in its legal defense while advancing its mission to deliver accessible healthcare solutions globally.

Source: Reuters