West Virginia Settlement Highlights Delay in Generic Lipitor Introduction
West Virginia Lawsuit Settlement Overview
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that the Circuit Court of Mason County has approved a settlement between the state and the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer Inc. and Ranbaxy Inc. concerning an antitrust lawsuit related to the cholesterol medication Lipitor. The lawsuit alleged that these companies conspired to delay the availability of a generic version of Lipitor.
Settlement Impact and Consumer Benefits
The total settlement amount has reached $17 million. Attorney General Morrisey stated, “This is a big victory for the free market and consumers who may have paid more than what they should have for the much-needed medication.” He further emphasized that competition is essential to maintaining a healthy marketplace.
Timeline and Claims Process
The lawsuit was initiated in 2013, claiming that the two companies had created a scheme to prevent a more affordable, generic alternative to Lipitor from entering the market for 20 months. Notably, Lipitor's original patent expired on March 24, 2010. Consumers potentially impacted by this delay can visit wvlipitorclaim.com for updates on how to file a claim. The claim administrator's contact number will be provided later.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.