{"id":1536,"date":"2019-02-25T17:49:20","date_gmt":"2019-02-26T01:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/?p=1536"},"modified":"2019-02-25T17:49:20","modified_gmt":"2019-02-26T01:49:20","slug":"skyrocketing-insulin-prices-by-ashley-klann","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/?p=1536","title":{"rendered":"Skyrocketing Insulin Prices by Ashley Klann"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted on facebook February 15, 2019, “Judge Denies Insulin Makers\u2019 Motion to Dismiss Class-Action Lawsuit Regarding Skyrocketing Insulin Prices,” <\/strong>this article is definitely worthy here at Buckroth’s Blog.<\/p>\n

“Attorney representing individuals living with diabetes against the pharma defendants says\u00a0judge\u2019s opinion \u201cblows the insulin racket wide open\u201d to expose deals with PBMs.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

“NEWARK, N.J.<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>Today, a federal judge\u2019s opinion<\/a> has greenlighted a national class-action lawsuit filed against Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for their systematic overpricing of insulin<\/a> and concealment of a behind-the-scenes arrangement orchestrated to hike insulin prices, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman.<\/p>\n

“Hon. Brian R. Martinotti, U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey granted in part and denied in part the drug companies\u2019 motion to dismiss the case. The opinion allows state law claims from plaintiffs \u2013 people living with diabetes who Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk have forced to pay skyrocketing insulin prices \u2013 and gave attorneys representing them ability to address concerns regarding individual state representation. To the extent the court requires a patient from each state, attorneys say they can and will add clients to satisfy the court\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n

F”ind out more about the lawsuit and sign up.<\/a><\/p>\n

Regarding the plaintiffs\u2019 state claims, Judge Martinotti\u2019s opinion read, \u201cThis Court finds Plaintiffs have adequately alleged fraudulent, unfair, or unconscionable conduct.\u201d The court also held that the plaintiffs \u201cadequately pled an ascertainable loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

“The lawsuit states that in recent years, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have raised the sticker or \u201cbenchmark\u201d prices on their drugs by more than 150 percent. Some plaintiffs now pay almost $900 dollars per month just to obtain the drugs they need, according to the firm.<\/p>\n

“Hagens Berman filed the first-of-its-kind lawsuit in 2017, detailing several accounts from patients resorting to extreme measures to survive rising insulin prices, including starving themselves to control their blood sugars, under-dosing their insulin, and taking expired insulin. The complaint also detailed how class members having intentionally allowed themselves to slip into diabetic ketoacidosis \u2013 a potentially fatal blood syndrome caused by lack of insulin in the body \u2013 so that they can obtain insulin samples from hospital emergency rooms.<\/p>\n

“Steve Berman<\/a>, managing partner and co-founder of Hagens Berman, was named co-lead counsel in the case by Judge Martinotti.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn general we are pleased with the decision because we can now bring consumer protection claims in most states,\u201d Berman said. \u201cThis ruling also clears the way for us to begin obtaining discovery from the manufacturers and PBMs so we can shine the light on exactly what has driven insulin prices sky high.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ruling blows the insulin racket wide open,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

“The complaint states that this once affordable drug is now out of reach for many patients due to a behind-the-scenes\u00a0quid pro quo <\/em>arrangement between drug makers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs): \u201cincreased benchmark prices are the result of a scheme and enterprise among each defendant and several bulk drug distributors. In this scheme, the defendant drug companies set two different prices for their insulin treatments: a publicly-reported, benchmark price and a lower, real price that they offer to certain bulk drug distributors.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Are you Affected? Sign up for the Case Now.<\/strong><\/p>\n