New Yorkers who purchased certain generic drugs may be eligible for compensation following settlements totaling more than $96 million with pharmaceutical companies accused of conspiring to inflate drug prices and limit competition.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday that eligible consumers can submit claims for compensation by March 8, 2027.
Here's what to know about the settlements and how to file a claim:
Who can claim compensation?
The settlements stem from three lawsuits filed by James and a coalition of other state attorneys general against dozens of generic drug manufacturers and individuals.
The lawsuits allege the companies engaged in agreements to fix prices, avoid competition and rig bids involving more than 100 generic drugs.
The drugs included
tablets, capsules, creams and ointments used to treat conditions including infections, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV and ADHD, according to the attorney general's office. In some instances, coordinated price increases exceeded 1,000%, the office said.
How much money was secured?
James and the multistate coalition have secured $96 million through settlements with several pharmaceutical companies, including Apotex and Heritage, Bausch and Lannett, and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
As part of the settlements, the companies agreed to cooperate with ongoing multistate cases and make changes intended to prevent future misconduct and ensure compliance with antitrust laws, according to the attorney general's office.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut recently gave preliminary approval to the coalition's plan to distribute compensation to eligible consumers who overpaid for certain generic drugs.
How to file a claim
Eligible consumers must submit their claims by March 8, 2027.
Consumers can visit AGGenericDrugs.com to check their eligibility and submit a claim online.
Consumers can also request a claim form by emailing info@aggenericdrugs.com, calling 1-866-290-0182 or using the mailing address listed on the claims administrator's contact page.
What prompted the lawsuits?
James and the coalition filed three complaints beginning in 2016. A second lawsuit was filed in 2019, followed by a third in 2020 involving topical generic drugs.
The lawsuits allege that pharmaceutical companies and executives communicated through meetings, phone calls, emails and text messages to coordinate prices and limit competition.
The cases remain ongoing against other corporate defendants and individual executives, according to the attorney general's office.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New Yorkers may be owed money over inflated generic drug prices. How to claim
