Big Generic Drugmakers Will Keep Sweating in Cartel Case

By Eleanor Tyler

Generic drugmakers from Actavis Pharma Inc. to Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. lost their bid to stop plaintiffs from pursuing limited discovery in a massive price-fixing class action while the Justice Department considers separate criminal charges.

The wide-ranging suit, led by state attorneys general from 45 states and the District of Columbia, alleges that more than a dozen generic drug companies illegally agreed to raise prices on at least 15 products. The DOJ asked to stay discovery for six months while it conducts its own criminal investigation.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge Cynthia ...