Settlement of Suit Will Help Uninsured

Ventura County Medical Center and local medical clinics serving poor, uninsured people are eligible to receive free pharmaceuticals under an agreement settling a class-action lawsuit against 19 drug manufacturers.

The agreement created a drug distribution program that will provide free pharmaceuticals over a three-year period to clinics and public hospitals statewide.

The medications, valued at $148 million, are used to treat asthma, hypertension, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS/HIV, mental health and other ailments.

“This is the largest settlement of its kind in California,” said Marice Ashe, director of the Public Health Trust, which will administer the distribution program. “It will provide desperately needed help to clinics and public hospitals serving low-income patients who have a range of health problems, but no public or private health insurance to pay for the medications they need.”

In the lawsuit, attorneys representing consumers who purchased drugs at independent pharmacies alleged that the manufacturers, including Bristol-Myers Squibb and DuPont Pharmaceuticals, illegally forced the pharmacies to buy drugs at inflated prices. The costs were then allegedly passed on to consumers. The manufacturers admitted no wrongdoing when they agreed to settle the case.

“This is an excellent opportunity to receive free pharmaceuticals that we would otherwise have to pay for,” said Paul Lorenz, director of Ventura County Public Health Services. “It’s an opportunity that we plan to take full advantage of.”

Medical care providers must apply with the Public Health Trust by Nov. 1 to participate in the program. For further information, call (510) 302-3300.