Pfizer strikes ‘unique’ antitrust settlement with Louisiana AG for $1M worth of naloxone

Fierce Pharma ------ When Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry inherited an antitrust lawsuit levied against Pfizer by his predecessor in 2015, he spotted an opportunity to combat the state’s mounting opioid epidemic. The lawsuit has nothing to do with prescription opioids—it alleged Pfizer was trying to block generic versions of its anti-convulsant Neurontin—but the pharma giant also manufactures naloxone, the drug that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. And therein was the opportunity. Landry announced Monday that instead of a cash settlement in the antitrust case, Pfizer will provide Louisiana with 60,000 vials of naloxone, worth about $1 million. The drug will be distributed to first responders via vouchers, each of which can be redeemed for 10 doses, Landry said during a press conference broadcast live on Facebook. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.