August 16, 2004
As part of a $37 million national settlement between Bristol-Myers Squibb and 35 states,, 57,000 consumers who took the anti-anxiety drug Buspar between January 1998 and January 2003 are getting checks from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
The average reimbursement check totals $647. Those who took the daily-dose drug spent close to $100 a month for a BuSpar prescription. Squibb also will reimburse state and local health agencies that paid full price for the drug because no generics were available.
The drug manufacturer is paying $41 million for allegedly making false statements to the Food & Drug Administration and conspiring to keep generic drugs from entering the marketplace.
"Consumers should not have to choose between taking a much needed medication or paying for food and electricity," said Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said, one of the state AGs involved in the action. "This settlement brings money back to the victims and lets manufacturers know there are consequences for illegally inflating drug prices."
