Loestrin Birth Control Class Action Website is Active

A website has been established for Class Members in a Loestrin class action lawsuit alleging certain pharmaceutical companies worked together to fix the price of the birth control medication.

While the website is live, it is not accepting claims yet. Top Class Actions will provide claim filing instructions as soon as they become available.

Meanwhile, viewers will receive an email notice when this article is updated with more information by using a free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.

According to the website, a $1 million settlement has been reached with Lupin Pharmaceuticals. This settlement is pending preliminary approval. Additional claims against Warner Chilcott and Watson Pharmaceuticals will reportedly continue regardless of the Lupin settlement.

The website also notes that, in September 2019, a Class of third party payors was certified by the court. This Class includes; all third party payors that indirectly purchased, paid for, and/or provided reimbursement for Loestrin 24 Fe, Minastrin 24 Fe and their generic alternatives between Sept. 1, 2009 and Sept. 17, 2019. The court did not certify a Class of end-user consumers.

Consumers in the Class had the opportunity to exclude themselves from the Loestrin class action lawsuit, but these requests needed to be filed by Dec. 2, 2019.

Plaintiffs in the consolidated Loestrin class action lawsuit claim that Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Warner Chilcott and Watson Pharmaceuticals conspired together to fix the price of Loestrin 24 Fe and Minastrin 24 Fe. Both Loestrin and Minastrin are birth control pills that use a variety of hormones to prevent pregnancy.

The scheme was allegedly led by Warner Chilcott. According to the Loestrin class action, Warner Chilcott wrongfully listed a fraudulent patent and then used the patent to file “sham lawsuits” against generic Loestrin manufacturers.

Watson Pharmaceuticals and Lupin Pharmaceuticals were allegedly paid to delay their own version of generic Loestrin and reportedly conspired to suppress other versions of generic Loestrin.

After suppressing Loestrin, Warner Chilcott reportedly switched the market from Loestrin to Minastrin which the plaintiffs argue is “a nearly identical product with no benefits or improvements.” Later, Loestrin was allegedly withdrawn from the market in a bid to force doctors and patients to switch to Minastrin.

The Loestrin class action lawsuit claims that these actions violated federal antitrust acts that prohibit anti-competitive schemes, suppressing competition and price-fixing.

“Warner Chilcott’s scheme to impair generic competition has been, to date, very successful. But the scheme and its various parts flagrantly violate the Sherman Antitrust Act,” states the Loestrin class action lawsuit.

“Warner Chilcott thus lined its and its shareholders’ pockets with money stolen from purchasers of Loestrin 24 and Minastrin 24.”

Although Lupin Pharmaceuticals has agreed to resolve the claims against them, plaintiffs still seek compensation from the other defendants. This includes disgorgement, restitution, treble damages, punitive damages, interest, court costs and attorneys’ fees.

Are you a third party payor or consumer who paid for Loestrin or Minastrin? Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Plaintiffs and Class Members are represented by Marvin A. Miller of Miller Law LLC; Steven Shadowen of Hilliard Shadowen LLP; Michael M. Buchman of Motley Rice LLC; and Sharon K. Robertson of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.

The Loestrin Birth Control Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Loestrin 24 Fe Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2472, Case No. 1:13-md-02472-WES-PAS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

UPDATE: March 2020, the Loestrin birth control class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.

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