[Ip-health] BBC: Drugs giant settles £800K claim

[Malini Aisola]

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A US healthcare giant has agreed a £800,000 settlement with the health
service in Northern Ireland over the alleged price-fixing of generic drugs.

Drugs giant settles £800K claim
May 1, 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7378386.stm
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*Norton was among a number of companies named in court papers over the
alleged formation of price-fixing cartels.

The drugs company agreed to the payment on a "full and final basis" but
did not admit liability.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the cash would be used to support
the delivery of frontline patient services.

The Department of Health said Norton had also agreed to co-operate in
continuing civil claims against a number of other drugs companies over
similar allegations.

The settlement came a day after a similar deal in Scotland, which saw
the company agreeing to pay out £2.8m.

The cartels were alleged to have been formed to fix the price of drugs
sold to the NHS, including blood-thinning drug Warfarin,
penicillin-based drugs and Ranitidine, used to treat some stomach
conditions.

Two years ago, Norton paid the NHS in England and Wales £13.5m over the
claims, again without admitting liability.

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Malini Aisola

Knowledge Ecology International

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