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Class 3 (Private Insurance) Consumer Home Page
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Please note that the relevant deadlines for filing a claim, an objection to the
settlement or a request for exclusion have been temporarily suspended until further
notice. Consumers can still file claims during this period and are urged to do so.
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If you made, or are obligated to make, a full cash payment or a Percentage Co-Payment
for Certain Drugs, from January 1, 1991 to March 1, 2008, you may be able to get
at least $35 back.
The Covered Drug List
This Class Action Lawsuit May Affect Your Rights.
There is a Proposed Settlement of a class action lawsuit with several drug manufacturers
concerning approximately 200 drugs. These drugs are used for the treatment of many
medical conditions and they are often, but not always injected in a doctor’s office
or clinic. The name of the lawsuit is In re: Pharmaceutical Industry Average Wholesale
Price Litigation; Docket No. 01-CV-12257-PBS, MDL No. 1456.
What is this Lawsuit About?
This lawsuit is NOT about whether these drugs are safe or effective. This lawsuit
is about the amount that you were charged for the drugs.
The Average Wholesale Price (“AWP”) is used to set reimbursement amounts that are
paid by a) Medicare and its beneficiaries, b) private health insurers, and c) consumers
making full cash or percentage co-payments under private health insurance plans.
The lawsuit claims that Defendants reported false and inflated AWPs for the drugs
covered in this Proposed Settlement. The Defendants deny any wrongdoing, and the
Proposed Settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or an indication that any
law was violated
How Do I Know if I Am Included in the Proposed Settlement?
You are part of the Proposed Settlement if you made, or are obligated to make, a
full cash or a percentage co-payment:
- Under Medicare Part B for any of the covered drugs listed in the Class
A and Class B Drug Lists from January 1, 1991 through January 1, 2005;
- Through a private health insurance plan for covered drugs listed in
the Class A and Class B Drug Lists from January 1 1991, through March 1, 2008; or
- A spouse of a deceased class member who made such a co-payment or
a legal representative of a deceased class member’s estate may file a claim.
You are not a member of a Class if you made flat co-payments, if insurance paid
all of your co-payment, or if you were never obligated to make a co-payment at all.
What Are the Terms of the Settlement?
The drug manufacturers have agreed to pay $125 million to settle the class action.
Approximately $21.8 million will be available to pay consumer claims.
When And Where Will The Court Decide On Whether To Grant Final Approval Of The Proposed
Settlement?
The Court held a hearing on April 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. to consider whether it is
fair, reasonable and adequate. The Court is yet to approve the Proposed Settlement;
the request for attorneys’ fees and expenses; and any comments or objections. You
are not required to attend, but may do so at your own expense.
Who Represents Me?
The Court has appointed attorneys to represent the Classes. Class Counsel will request
that the Court award attorneys' fees not to exceed thirty-three and a third percent
(33.33%) of the Proposed Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of expenses. You may
hire your own attorney, if you wish. However, you will be responsible for that attorney's
fees and expenses
Summary of Your Rights and Choices
Remain in the Class:
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Stay in the Class.
If you wish to remain a member of the Settlement Class and share in the Settlement
Fund you must file a claim as outlined in the Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement Question 5 .
Due Date for Filing a Claim**: No due date has been determined.
If you wish to file a claim form please do so as soon as possible.
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Exclude Yourself:
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Get out of the Class.
If you do not wish to be a member of the Settlement Class, you must sign a Request
For Exclusion form as outlined in the
Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement Question 7 .
Due Date for Request for Exclusion form**: No due date has
been determined. If you wish to exclude yourself please do so as soon as possible.
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Object or Comment to the Proposed Settlement:
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Object or Comment without excluding yourself.
You can tell the Court if you do not like this Proposed Settlement or some part
of it if you do not exclude yourself. To object or comment, you must file or serve
a letter as outlined in the Notice
of Proposed Class Action Settlement Question 8 .
Due Date for Objections: No due date has been determined.
If you wish to Object or Comment please file or serve as soon as possible.
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