Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a settlement involving generic drug manufacturer Apotex, which could lead to compensation for consumers who purchased certain generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019. The settlement is part of a $39.1 million agreement reached with 50 states and territories, addressing allegations that Apotex conspired to inflate drug prices and limit competition.

Bonta stated, "Since taking office, I have been committed to making the lives of Californians more affordable. As part of those efforts, my team and I have worked day and night to go after companies and individuals who engage in anti-competitive practices solely to increase their profits." He added that the settlement "not only holds Apotex accountable but also puts money back in Californians’ pockets."

Consumers can check their eligibility for compensation by visiting www.AGGenericDrugs.com or contacting the provided toll-free number or email address. The amount each individual may receive will depend on various factors, including how much they spent on the affected drugs.

The list of drugs involved includes baclofen tablets for muscle spasms, budesonide inhalation for asthma, carbamazepine ER tablets for seizures, glyburide-metformin for diabetes, verapamil for high blood pressure, and warfarin to prevent blood clots.

The settlements resolve claims against both Apotex and Heritage Pharmaceuticals regarding conspiracies to manipulate prices and reduce competition. Both companies have agreed to cooperate in ongoing litigations against other corporate defendants and executives while implementing internal reforms to ensure compliance with antitrust laws.

California is among nearly all states participating in three antitrust complaints filed since 2016. These complaints involve numerous corporate defendants and executives accused of engaging in collusion through various means such as industry events and communications like phone calls and emails.

The evidence supporting these cases includes testimony from cooperating witnesses, extensive document databases containing millions of records, and phone records detailing interactions among industry players.

Joining Attorney General Bonta are attorneys general from states including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan among others.