A Pennsylvania federal court judge rejected motions from 20 generic drugmakers to toss out a lawsuit accusing them of engaging in unlawful schemes to fix, maintain and stabilize prices for certain generic pharmaceutical products, according to court documents filed this week.
Here are four things to know:
1. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of direct purchasers of drugs, such as retail pharmacy operators and third-party payers, claims the generic drugmakers "subverted the operation of a competitive marketplace for generic pharmaceuticals" and "artificially inflated prices through unlawful agreements."
2. The lawsuit applies to six generic drugs, including the common antibiotic doxycycline.
3. The initial lawsuit was transferred in August 2016 to a class-action lawsuit. The scope of the lawsuit expanded to more drugmakers in April 2017, the court reasoning that, "[a]lthough separate conspiracies are alleged, they may overlap significantly."
4. The generic drugmakers named as defendants are: Actavis Pharma; Akorn Pharma; Apotex Corp.; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; Glenmark Pharmaceuticals; Heritage Pharmaceuticals; Impax Laboratories; Lannett Co.; Lupin Pharmaceuticals; Mayne Pharma; Mylan; Par Pharmaceuticals; Perrigo; Sandoz; Sun Pharmaceuticals; Taro Pharmaceuticals; Teva Pharmaceuticals; West-Ward Pharmaceuticals; Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals; and Zydus Pharmaceuticals.
5. The federal judge excused one drugmaker, Teligent, from the lawsuit.
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