Florida to Receive $1 Million in Rebates for Prescription Overpayment

 03/28/07 reported by Florida Health News
TALLAHASSEE - Nearly 4,700 Floridians will be receiving a refund for amounts they overpaid for Remeron, a common antidepressant prescription drug,
Attorney General Bill McCollum announced today.

Rebates totaling nearly $1 million have been sent to Florida consumers and public agencies as the result of a settlement regarding the drug. Florida’s settlement was part of a multi-state agreement reached by the drug’s manufacturers and all 50 states in February

“It’s an excellent day when Floridians are able to reclaim money they overpaid for necessary medical care,” said McCollum.

The Remeron settlement resolves antitrust claims against Akzo Nobel N.V. and Organon USA, Inc. Included were claims consumers and public entities overpaid for medications because the companies’ conduct prevented a low-priced generic equivalent from being made available.

Florida consumers who previously submitted valid claims will share more than $740,000 in restitution to cover amounts they overpaid for this medication. Based on the number of claims received from consumers, Florida will receive more in consumer restitution than any other state.

In addition to the consumer rebate checks, Florida will recover more than $240,000 to reimburse overcharges paid by the state’s Medicaid program and other state and local public health entities.

The Attorney General’s Offices in Florida and Texas negotiated the settlement on behalf of all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

For a copy of the settlement, go to http://myfloridalegal.com/.