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West Virginia Reaches $17.85 Million Settlement in Generic Drug Price-Fixing Case
The settlement with Lannett and Bausch Health resolves allegations of widespread conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices.
Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:31pm
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West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, along with a coalition of 48 states and territories, has reached a $17.85 million settlement with pharmaceutical companies Lannett and Bausch Health over allegations of widespread conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices of generic prescription drugs. As a result, West Virginians who purchased certain generic medications between May 2009 and December 2009 may be eligible for settlement funds.
Why it matters
This settlement is part of a broader, ongoing investigation into illegal price-fixing practices in the pharmaceutical industry that have led to consumers paying more for necessary medications. The settlements require the companies to make internal changes to ensure compliance with antitrust laws and fair competition, as well as cooperate with further investigations.
The details
The settlements with Lannett and Bausch Health resolve allegations of "widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade" for numerous generic prescription drugs. To comply with the settlements, the companies have agreed to make internal changes and cooperate with ongoing multistate litigations against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives.
- The settlement covers purchases made between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
- This settlement is part of a long-running and ongoing investigation into illegal actions by prescription drug companies.
The players
JB McCuskey
The West Virginia Attorney General who led the coalition of 48 states and territories in reaching this settlement.
Lannett Company, Inc.
One of the pharmaceutical companies that reached a $17.85 million settlement with the coalition over allegations of generic drug price-fixing.
Bausch Health US, LLC and Bausch Health Americas, Inc.
The other pharmaceutical company that reached a $17.85 million settlement with the coalition over allegations of generic drug price-fixing.
What they’re saying
“Today's settlement is part of a long-running and on-going investigation into illegal actions by prescription drug companies, which have left consumers paying more and more for the medicines they need. I am proud of the work being done by this bi-partisan coalition of attorneys general to go after companies that care more about their bottom line than the people they serve.”
— JB McCuskey, West Virginia Attorney General
What’s next
West Virginia, along with a 42-state coalition led by Connecticut's Attorney General, has also sued Novartis and its generic subsidiary Sandoz, alleging a systemic campaign to conspire with other generic manufacturers to fix prices, allocate markets and rig bids for 31 different generic drugs.
The takeaway
This settlement highlights the ongoing efforts by state attorneys general to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for anti-competitive practices that have driven up the costs of essential generic medications for consumers. The required internal changes and cooperation with further investigations aim to promote greater transparency and fairness in the generic drug market.
