Attorney General's News Release

July 21, 2005

Missourians will receive checks from drug companies soon under Cardizem CD settlement

Jefferson City, Mo. — About 1,900 Missourians soon will receive checks totaling almost $600,000 from two pharmaceutical companies as part of a settlement agreement with Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Nixon and the 49 other states' attorneys general sued Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Andrex Corp. in 2003, alleging that Aventis paid Andrex not to release a generic version of Cardizem CD, a prescription heart medication. Because a generic version of the drug was delayed, consumers, insurers and other health care providers had to pay more for the brand-name version for at least one additional year.

"I'm pleased to announce that Missourians will receive their share of this settlement in the next few weeks," Nixon said. "We will continue to hold companies accountable when they try to profit unfairly at the expense of consumers in our state."

Aventis and Andrex will pay a total of $599,347.83 to 1,886 Missourians as compensation for overpayments from 1998 to 2004. Around the country, more than 76,000 consumers filed claims against the companies.

Missourians with questions about the settlement should contact the Cardizem CD Settlement Administrator at P.O. Box 1675, Faribault, MN 55021-1675. Additional information is available at the settlement administrator's Web site.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818