Pfizer to pay $345 million in EpiPen lawsuit
pharmafile | July 16, 2021 | News story | Medical Communications | Mylan, Pfizer, epipen
Pfizer has reached a $345 million settlement over consumer claims they overpaid for EpiPens as a result of unfair, anticompetitive practices between Pfizer and Mylan, the company that markets the allergy treatment.
The class action settlement has been disclosed in a filing in federal court in Kansas City, and the deal requires a judge’s approval. The payment would not resolve claims made against Mylan, and the company is set to face a trial in January 2022.
Pfizer, which manufactured the EpiPen for Mylan, has not admitted to any wrongdoing but Paul Geller, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said they were “pleased that Pfizer resolved its part of this class action lawsuit over the pricing of EpiPens.”
In 2016 Mylan triggered public outcry when it hiked up the price of a pair of EpiPens from $100 (price since 2008) to $600. The lawsuit has accused Mylan and Pfizer of engaging in anticompetitive conduct, allowing them to keep a hold over the market for the devices and their profitable revenues.
The settlement announced on Thursday followed the dismissal of many, but not all, of the claims filed against Mylan by US District Judge Daniel Crabtree last month.
The claims that remain concern a patent settlement the plaintiffs say delayed the launch of a generic epinephrine auto-injector. Mylan has said it “firmly believes that Mylan’s conduct was lawful and pro-competitive.”
Mylan in 2017 agreed to pay $465 million to resolve U.S. Justice Department claims it overcharged the government for the EpiPen.
The EpiPen is a handheld device that treats life-threatening allergic reactions by automatically injecting a dose of epinephrine.
Kat Jenkins
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