Drug companies to pay Hawaii $700 million to settle Plavix blood thinner
lawsuit
[May 10, 2025]
HONOLULU (AP) — Pharmaceutical companies have agreed to pay
Hawaii $700 million to settle its lawsuit over the efficacy and safety
of the blood thinner Plavix, the state attorney general's office
announced Friday.
A court ruling last year ordered Bristol Myers Squibb Company and three
U.S.-based subsidiaries of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi to pay a
combined $916 million.
But before an appeal was decided, a settlement was reached for the lower
amount, the attorney general's office said.
In a joint statement, the companies said they “are pleased to resolve
this litigation, and to continue their companies’ focus on discovering,
developing, and delivering innovative medicines to patients.”
“Plavix has helped millions of people with cardiovascular disease around
the world for nearly 30 years and it continues to be endorsed as a
first-line therapy by leading treatment guidelines across the globe,”
the statement added.
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 First Circuit Court Judge James
Ashford found that there was a risk that about 30% of patients,
particularly non-Caucasians, might have a “diminished response” to
Plavix but the companies did not update their labels, Attorney
General Anne Lopez said last year.
Neither company has admitted wrongdoing.
Gov. Josh Green called it a “landmark settlement” and a “major
victory” for the state.
The settlement divides the $700 million equally between Bristol
Myers Squibb and Sanofi, with the funds to be paid by wire transfer
by June 9, the attorney general's office said.
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