Bought Generic Prescription Drugs? North Carolinians Could Be Owed Money From $96.5M Settlements
RALEIGH, N.C. — If you purchased certain generic prescription drugs between 2009 and 2019, it may be worth checking your medicine history.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is urging residents to determine whether they qualify for money from a series of settlements stemming from allegations that generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices.
The settlements total $96.5 million, according to the North Carolina Department of Justice. A court has preliminarily approved a plan for distributing settlement funds to eligible consumers nationwide.
The official settlement website confirms that consumers who purchased certain generic prescription drugs in the United States between May 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2019, may qualify for payment.
Who Could Be Eligible?
Generally, consumers may qualify if they purchased one or more of the generic drugs involved in the litigation during the eligible period and meet other requirements.
The lawsuits allege that numerous generic drug manufacturers unlawfully agreed to fix prices, causing consumers to pay artificially inflated prices for certain prescriptions. The litigation concerns drug pricing — not the safety or effectiveness of the medications.
Eligibility depends on several factors, including the drug purchased and the consumer’s circumstances. The official settlement website says eligibility is based on a person’s current state of residence when the claim is filed, rather than where the medication was purchased.
How to Check and File a Claim
North Carolinians who believe they may qualify should:
- Check the official list of drugs to determine whether they purchased an eligible generic prescription between May 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2019.
- Visit the official settlement website or call 1-866-290-0182 for eligibility information.
- If eligible, submit a claim through the settlement process.
Consumers can also email info@AGGenericDrugs.com with questions.
Because this involves potential payments and personal information, consumers should use the official settlement website rather than links received through unsolicited texts, emails, or social media posts.
Jackson: Consumers Should Get Money Back
Jackson said the settlements are intended to return money to people who paid allegedly inflated prices for their medications.
“North Carolinians are getting money back to make up for unfairly high drug costs they paid in the past year,” Jackson said in the announcement. “We’re always going to hold companies accountable when they break the law and rig the system so they can charge people more.”
Earlier this year, Jackson announced settlements totaling $17.85 million with Lannett Company and Bausch Health entities over generic drug price-fixing allegations. At that time, the N.C. Department of Justice also advised consumers who purchased certain generic drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 that they could be eligible for money.
Settlements have also been reached with Glenmark, Apotex, Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Heritage’s parent company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, while litigation continues against other defendants.
What the States Allege Happened
The underlying antitrust litigation stretches back years and involves numerous generic drug manufacturers.
According to the states’ complaints, competing pharmaceutical executives communicated and met during industry dinners, lunches, cocktail parties, golf outings, and other social gatherings.
The states allege those relationships helped facilitate agreements designed to suppress competition and increase generic drug prices. The manufacturers have faced multiple lawsuits involving numerous medications and alleged price-fixing arrangements.
One of the cases filed in 2019 targeted Teva Pharmaceuticals and other major generic drug manufacturers. Another centers on dozens of topical generic medications.
The coalition has also pursued allegations against Novartis and Sandoz. In February, Jackson’s office announced a new lawsuit against the companies while describing the broader litigation as an effort to address alleged generic drug price-fixing.
Don’t Assume You Don’t Qualify
The key for consumers is simple: check before assuming the settlements don’t apply to you.
The eligible purchase period stretches across more than a decade, meaning some people may not immediately remember which generic prescriptions they purchased years ago.
Consumers who bought qualifying medications between May 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2019, could be eligible to receive part of the settlement funds. The amount an individual receives will depend on the approved distribution process and valid claims.
For settlement information, eligibility requirements, and claim instructions, visit AGGenericDrugs.com or call 1-866-290-0182.