Alaska joins request for court approval of three generic drug price-fixing settlements

Alaska and 44 other states and territories have asked a federal court to approve settlements with three generic drug makers accused of conspiring to inflate prices, the Alaska Department of Law said Friday.

Ascend Laboratories would pay the states $400,000 and Mayne Pharma $650,000. Citron Pharma would pay nothing because it has stopped doing business, the department said. All three agreed to internal reforms meant to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.

People who bought generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for a share of the money. The states' settlement website, AGGenericDrugs.com, lists who qualifies and how to file. Claims are due March 8, 2027, and no receipts are needed.

The amounts are small, and the states say why. In their court filing, they describe the three companies as among the smallest defendants in the case and estimate the overcharges tied to each at under $2 million. About 44% of the money from these settlements would go to consumers nationwide, with the rest going to state agencies and to attorney fees and litigation costs. The filings don't say how much would go to Alaskans.

The case is much bigger than these three companies. The states have already settled with Sandoz, Glenmark, Lannett, Bausch, Apotex, and Heritage and its parent company, Emcure, for a combined $496.5 million. The first trial against the remaining drug makers is set for February 2027 in Hartford, Connecticut.

No money from the settlements will be paid out until the court gives final approval to the plan for distributing it.