Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) agreed to pay $345 million to settle claims of overpayments for EpiPens due to alleged anti-competitive and unfair practices.
Reuters reported that a filing disclosed in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., revealed the settlement set to resolve claims from consumers who say they overpaid for EpiPens with the alleged anti-competitive and unfair practices by Pfizer and its Mylan spinoff, which markets the EpiPen.
The report stated that the deal requires a judge’s approval and will not resolve the claims against Mylan, which is set for trial in January. Additionally, the report noted that Pfizer did not admit wrongdoing, although the plaintiffs’ lawyer said they were pleased that the company resolved its part in the lawsuit.
Just last month, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas ruled in favor of Mylan in an EpiPen class action. Mylan, which Pfizer combined with its Upjohn business to form Viatris in November 2020, picked up a favorable ruling in substantial part that dismissed all of the plaintiffs’ claims under the federal RICO statute, including claims asserted against former Mylan CEO Heather Bresch.
Litigation over Pfizer, Mylan and the EpiPen has been ongoing, with a federal judge in Minnesota deciding in January of this year that Mylan must face a lawsuit accusing it of paying bribes and kickbacks to pharmacy benefit managers and of conspiring to fix prices on EpiPen.
