Government
Wis. sues drugmakers over pricing
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 21, 2004
Wisconsin has joined other states in taking the nation's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers to court over the way they price their products. Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager June 3 filed a lawsuit against 20 manufacturers accusing them of publishing false average wholesale prices.
"The complaint alleges that the drug companies know that when they publish false average wholesale prices for their drugs they cause the state of Wisconsin, its citizens and its health care organizations to grossly overpay for prescription drugs," Lautenschlager said in a statement.
The lawsuit asks for reimbursement for state programs, such as Medicaid; Medicare recipients, who pay 20% of drugs costs when Medicare covers the prescription; and private citizens who pay for prescriptions.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/21/gvbf0621.htm.