The New York-based pharmaceutics giant Pfizer has agreed to a $50 million class-action settlement to resolve allegations that it conspired with other manufacturers to increase and fix the prices of both branded and generic epinephrine auto-injectors.
This particular class-action lawsuit agreement was reached in order to compensate entities that directly purchased EpiPen products or their generic versions from the manufacturer between March 13, 2014 and April 3, 2024.
EpiPen Pricing Conspiracy Allegations — Class-Action Settlement
The class-action lawsuit filed against Pfizer alleged that the company conspired with other manufacturers, including Mylan, to manipulate the prices of EpiPen prescriptions.
This alleged antitrust conspiracy forced consumers to pay significantly higher prices for these essential devices, which are used to administer epinephrine in cases of severe allergic reactions. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that this practice was maintained even in the generic options, which should usually be cheaper.
Pfizer, one of the most renowned pharmaceutical companies in the world, which manufactures and sells epinephrine auto-injectors, in addition to numerous other branded and generic drugs, has chosen not to admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. However, the company decided to pay $50 million to settle this class action lawsuit.
Distribution of the Class-Action Settlement Fund against Pfeizer
According to the terms of the settlement, the class members are entitled to receive a proportionate share of the net settlement fund, based on documented purchases of EpiPen products made during the specified period. Consumers who purchased branded products will receive higher payments than those who purchased only generic products.
The exact amount of the final payments, as it frequently happens in this kind of settlements, will depend on the total number of claims submitted and the types of purchases declared by each consumer. Currently, there are no estimates available on the specific amounts that each claimant could receive.
Impact of Other Related Class Action Agreements
Let’s not forget the strong precedents left by the previous agreements with Mylan, when $264 million was returned to indirect buyers and $465 million to the Department of Justice to settle similar claims.
Claim Process and Deadlines
The federal judge in Kansas granted final approval for this settlement on July 9, 2024. In order to receive the EpiPen settlement payments, group members must submit a valid claim form by July 24, 2024. Those who wish to exclude themselves or submit objections had until May 28, 2024 to do so.
Eligibility and Necessary Documentation to File
The entities eligible for this agreement are those that purchased EpiPen or generic EpiPen products directly from the manufacturer in the period between March 13, 2014 and April 3, 2024. To receive your share of the agreement, it is necessary to provide proof of purchase, such as invoices and receipts. Applicants must unfailingly submit valid documentation to support their claims.
Finally, it is important to remember that those who do not qualify for this settlement should not file a claim, as this could hinder the process and delay compensation for those who are eligible.
If you consider yourself affected in this case, you can file as a plaintiff in this site.
Remember that you do not have unlimited time to file these claims, as class actions often set specific deadlines for people who want to be added as plaintiffs. In the case of this class-action lawsuit against Pfizer, you have time until July 24, 2024. After that, you will not be able to claim for this case, even if you have been affected.