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Franklin County authorizes joining multistate generic‑drug antitrust lawsuit and hires special counsel
Summary
Citing Department of Justice and multistate investigations into alleged price fixing and market division among generic drug manufacturers, the Franklin County Legislature authorized the county to join the civil action and to retain Napoli Shkolnik PLLC as special counsel to represent county interests.
The Franklin County Legislature on June 6 authorized the county to join a broader civil action alleging price fixing, market allocation and other antitrust violations among multiple generic pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Minutes cite Department of Justice investigations and a multistate civil action alleging misconduct involving more than 300 drugs and numerous companies. The resolution notes that many counties self‑insure for employee health costs and could have paid for implicated generic drugs; based on that exposure, the board authorized joining the litigation and directed the Chairman, subject to County Attorney review, to enter into a special counsel agreement with Napoli Shkolnik PLLC.
The motion was offered by Legislator Dumas and seconded by Legislator Sherwin and was adopted unanimously by members present. The resolution authorizes engagement of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC to represent Franklin County in the proposed litigation; final terms and execution of a special counsel agreement are subject to County Attorney review.
The Legislature recorded the rationale that the county directly purchases, reimburses or pays for generic drugs for employees, dependents and retirees and therefore may have a financial interest in the claims being pursued by states and other counties. The County Attorney or Chairman is to report back to the Legislature with the engagement documentation and any material terms.
