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 The Justice Department has been investigating allegations the
company colluded with other drugmakers to push up the prices of
widely used pharmaceuticals, including a high cholesterol drug.
"Today's charge reaffirms that no company is too big to be
prosecuted for its role in conspiracies that led to substantially
higher prices for generic drugs relied on by millions of Americans,"
Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim said in a statement.
Teva said in a statement that "it firmly rejects the allegations and
will vigorously defend the Company in court."
A person familiar with the matter said the indictment followed
Teva's refusal to agree to a settlement that would have required
paying a criminal penalty and admitting wrongdoing.
In the superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Teva is charged with three
counts of conspiring with companies that include Glenmark
Pharmaceuticals <GLEN.NS>, Apotex Corp, Taro Pharmaceutical
Industries <TARO.N> and Sandoz Inc, the statement said.
According to the first charge, Teva, Glenmark and Apotex agreed to
increase prices for the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin and
other generic drugs. In the second charge, Teva and Taro are accused
of agreeing to increase prices, rig bids and allocate customers for
drugs to treat arthritis, seizures, pain, skin conditions and blood
clots.
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In the third charge, Teva and Sandoz are accused of a conspiracy
involving drugs used to treat brain cancer, cystic fibrosis,
arthritis and hypertension.
Apotex, Taro and Sandoz have previously admitted their roles in the
conspiracies and agreed to pay penalties, the Justice Department
said.
Last month, a grand jury returned an indictment against Glenmark for
its role in the alleged conspiracy, which Tuesday's indictment
supersedes, the Justice Department said.
In its statement, Teva said it has attempted to reach a resolution
with the Justice Department but the agency "has shown an
unwillingness to consider alternatives that would not deeply impact
Teva and the stakeholders who depend on the Company, including the
patients who benefit from our medicines."
(Reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington and Mrinalika Roy in
Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Pullin)
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