Attorney General Miyares urges Virginians to check eligibility for generic drug purchases

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Attorney General Jason Miyares is urging Virginian consumers to check that they are eligible for certain generic drug purchases on Thursday, following three antitrust complaints and a 50-state settlement.

Virginia is one of 50 seeking "preliminary approval for a $39.1 million settlement with generic drug manufacturer Apotex," a statement from the Office of the Attorney General on Thursday, March 27, reads. This is due to an alleged conspiracy to inflate prices and restrict competition.

Miyares and the other states announced the $10 million settlement with fellow New Jersey-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer Heritage Pharmaceuticals in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

“These pharmaceutical companies conspired to drive up drug prices, harming consumers and jeopardizing our families' financial well-being. Virginians shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their wallets,” Miyares said. “I encourage every Virginian who purchased a generic medication between May 2009 and December 2019 to check their eligibility for compensation. I will continue to ensure that all companies operate within the bounds of the law, protecting competitive markets and protecting the interests and wellbeing of Virginia consumers.”

Since 2016, Virginia and 50 other states have filed three antitrust complaints. The first complaint and the third complaint resulted in a pharmaceutical executive entering into settlement agreements with the states and their cooperation to support the claims of the cases.

Officials said the cases came due to multiple witnesses in numerous investigations, which included different conspiracies, 20 million documents and phone records containing call detail records and contact information for over 600 sales and itemized pricing.

The settlement agreement reportedly clears up any allegations from Apotex and Heritage amidst the conspiracies to "artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs," officials said.

Both generic drug manufacturers have said they would cooperate in the evolving multistate legal action against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both also agreed to a "injunctive relief" -- which is a legal order that requires companies to refrain from doing something -- to prevent future misconduct and to a string of internal improvements within the companies to ensure they are following antitrust laws.

Those who purchased any generic prescription drugs listed here between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182, email info@AGGenericDrugs.com or visit AG Generic Drugs' website.