Posted at 12:01 p.m., Thursday, April 27, 2006
State files suit against 44 pharmaceutical companies
Advertiser Staff
The state this morning filed a lawsuit alleging that 44 pharmaceutical companies have been setting inflated wholesale prices for prescription drugs that results in the state paying "grossly excessive prices" for its 200,000 residents under the Medicaid and Medicare programs.In announcing the lawsuit, Attorney General Mark Bennett said the state has been overcharged by the companies' use of what he called a "pervasive scheme" to manipulate the wholesale prices.
"We believe that this scheme is deceptive and illegal and has cost the state government and Medicare consumers tens of millions of dollars," Bennett said.
The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount of money from the companies.
Bennett said he couldn't say at this point how much money the state will be seeking.
Other states have filed similar lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.
