Well known drug companies DRL, Glenmark, Sun under us scrutiny as regards to price fixing

Washington: Though 18 companies among which 12 more drug companies under lens of US as companies violated anti -trust laws to artificially inflate prices of the drug and agreed to divide the market as with aim to reduce competition. According to Washington State Attorney General, Including Dr.Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, and Glen mark are to face inquest, in adding six others, as got complaints of “artificially inflating prices” of generics.

As per reports from Indian Express an official statement is released by Attorney General (AG) of Washington State Bob Ferguson yesterday on which AGs of 45 other state along with him approached a federal court seeking to expand the pending complaints in which to investigate to 18 from 6 and the number of affected drugs to 15 from 2. However some drug saw jump in prices by more than Ferguson said “ I hold powerful interest accountable when they don’t play by rules”. As charges are laid on drug companies for conspiring to fix prices and keeping them out, previously the generic drug manufacturers Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Auribindo Pharma USA, Citron Pharma, Mayne Pharma, (USA) Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA came up as defendants.

While States is seeking to expand complaints to include Actavis Holdco US, Actavis Pharma, Ascend Laboratories, Apotex Corp, Dr. Reddy’s Lab. Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Lannett Company, Par Pharmaceuticals companies, Sandoz, Sun, and Zydus (USA). Though DR. Reddy’s claim that “it is aware of the ongoing investigation by the US department of Justice(DoJ) into this matter and the recent amended complaints issued by the Attorney General of Connecticut and other states. Also added “the company intend to continue cooperating fully with all authorities on this matter and as it is sub-judice, wish to refrain from further comment at this point in time”. The Assistant Attorney General Erica Koscher and Micheal Hemker are handling the case while in addition to Washington other involved states in the lawsuit include Connecticut, Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorando, Delware and the District of Columbia as per statements. The lawsuit was filed under seal in US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

It was declared that companies violated anti-trust laws to artificially inflate prices of the drug and agreed to divide the market to reduce competition. Generic which entered after brand –name drug manufacturer loses its exclusive patent rights; offer the prospects of lower prices and greater access to medication. To reduce competition in the US for two drugs: doxycycline hyclate delayed release, an antibiotic and glyburide an oral diabetes medication.