Lawsuits say drugmakers delay generics

Article Abstract:

Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Andrx are facing a $100-million lawsuit from sixteen states over practices the states say cost consumers millions by delaying sales of a lower-cost generic heart drug. The case is one of a growing number brought by consumers angered over deals between generic and brandname drugmakers. The case alleges that Aventis paid generic drugmaker Andrx nearly $100 million to delay by a year competition to its Cardizem CD, a blood pressure medication. The generic sells for about half the brand name's $65 a month. Both companies declare that the case is without merit.

Generic Drugs, Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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Probe targets drugmaker, pharmacy incentives

Article Abstract:

The US Attorney's office in Philadelphia, PA, has reportedly launched a wide-ranging probe on the financial incentives used by pharamceutical manufacturers and other firms to encourage insurers and pharmacists to channel patients to certain drugs. Major pharmacy management companies Merck-Medco and PCS Health Systems and drug manufacture Schering-Plough have confirmed that they have received subpoenas from federal investigators, who also want to know if drugmakers overcharged government health programs by not offering them the same kinds of discounts offered to private insurers.

Public affairs

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DuPont wants rivals punished

Article Abstract:

Du Pont Pharmaceuticals has requested Medicare to lower the price that it pays doctors and hospitals for the products of its competitor Nycomed Amersham. Du Pont's accusation that Nycomed has raised its prices 31% this year is part of the controversial complex pricing effort that regulators claim cost federal and state health programs about $1 billion a year. Medicare pays a percentage of average wholesale prices while doctors and hospitals can often buy products below wholesale prices.

Du Pont Pharmaceuticals

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