NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee has joined a coalition of 45 states and territories asking a court to approve settlements with three generic drug makers accused of working together to push up the prices of common prescription medicines.
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced the state’s role Tuesday. The companies are Ascend Laboratories, Citron Pharma and Mayne Pharma, and the settlements resolve allegations that they took part in a widespread conspiracy to inflate prices, reduce competition and restrain trade in generic prescription drugs.
Under the proposed terms, Ascend will pay $400,000 to the states and Mayne will pay $650,000. Citron, which has ceased operations, agreed to non-monetary terms, including injunctive conditions that would apply if the company ever reenters the generic drugs business. All three agreed to internal reforms meant to keep them in line with antitrust law.
Skrmetti said in his announcement that the companies drove up the cost of prescription drugs at the expense of Tennessee families, and that the settlements reflect his office’s push to make sure consumers get the lower prices that come when companies actually compete.
The dollar amounts are small next to what came before. The states previously reached settlements with Sandoz, Glenmark, Lannett, Bausch, Apotex and Heritage Pharmaceuticals, along with Heritage parent company Emcure, totaling $496.5 million.
The broader case is still headed to court. The states are preparing for the first trial in the litigation, scheduled for February 2027 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Tennesseans who bought certain generic prescription drugs in the United States between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. The settlement administrator takes questions by phone at 1-866-290-0182, and eligibility details are posted on the coalition’s AG Generic Drugs settlement website.
