Case Details

Year Initiated/Committed

1968

Year Resolved

1974

Settlement Amount

$35 million

Court

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division

Docket Number

No. 4-71 Civ. 435

Lead State

OR, WA

Participating States

CA, HI, KS, OR, UT, WA

Defendant(s)

American Cyanamid Company; Pfizer Inc.; Bristol-Myers Co., Squibb Corporation; Olin Corporation; Upjohn Company

Case Description

Plaintiff States sought damages and injunctive relief, alleging that, beginning in 1953, Defendant companies conspired to and did monopolize the manufacture, sale, and distribution of broad spectrum antibiotics and antibiotic products (BSA). Plaintiff States further alleged that Defendant companies conspired to restrain trade in the manufacture, sale and distribution of BSA within interstate commerce. The parties entered a settlement agreement in which Defendant companies agreed to pay Plaintiff States approximately $35 million in damages. Of the $35 million settlement, $29,675,000 was distributed directly to consumers, while $2,586,000 went toward public program reimbursements.