NYPD Union Goes After Drug Prices Amid DOJ Pharma Probe
- Unions file suits over prices of dermatological treatments
- Pharma industry drew scrutiny over pricing during election
As the generic drug industry braces for charges from a two-year U.S. Justice Department antitrust investigation, a union representing the sergeants of the New York Police Department is attempting to hit some companies with civil penalties as well.
A pair of lawsuits filed by the Sergeants Benevolent Association Health & Welfare Fund against two groups of drugmakers, which include Switzerland-based Novartis AG’s generic drug unit, along with Ireland-based Perrigo Co., India’s Wockhardt Ltd. and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., allege the companies colluded to raise prices on two dermatological creams as much as 1,000 percent starting in 2013. Taro is the Israeli subsidiary of India’s largest drugmaker, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.