Johnson & Johnson units to pay $65 million to settle Tracleer antitrust class action

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson units have agreed to pay $65 million to settle an antitrust class action lawsuit regarding the pulmonary hypertension drug Tracleer, which alleged overcharging and delayed competition for a generic version of the drug [1]. Group 1: Settlement Details - The preliminary settlement was filed in federal court in Maryland and requires judicial approval [1]. - The settlement covers Tracleer purchases in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico from December 2015 to September 2024 [1]. - Plaintiffs plan to seek approximately 33% of the settlement fund for legal fees, amounting to about $21 million [1]. Group 2: Allegations and Background - The lawsuit, initiated in 2018, claimed that the drugmakers impeded competitor access to Tracleer samples, effectively blocking the market entry of a competing generic product [1]. - Actelion Pharmaceuticals, which made billions from Tracleer sales, was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2017 [1]. - The plaintiffs include the Government Employees Health Association and other entities that reimbursed members for Tracleer usage [1].