Protecting Consumers

Antitrust Settlements

First Group Consent Decree and Final Judgment

First Group Consent Decree and Final Judgment available in PDF format

Hytrin Antitrust Case

SETTLEMENT, CONSUMER REFUNDS IN HYTRIN ANTITRUST CASE
Consumers who purchased the brand-name prescription medication Hytrin are eligible for refunds from a $30.7-million nationwide settlement agreement. The refunds to consumers and third-party payers in 18 states will be paid by two companies who, the complaint alleged, had conspired to engage in anticompetitive conduct that delayed the availability of a more affordable generic version of the medication.

Hytrin, which is used in the treatment of hypertension and enlarged prostate, is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, and the generic version (called "terazosin") is produced by Geneva Pharmaceuticals. According to a federal lawsuit, Abbott wrongfully paid Geneva to delay introduction of its generic version of Hytrin and took other steps to delay competition from lower-priced generic versions of its product. This illegal activity harmed consumers.

Under the settlement agreement, which is still subject to final court approval, Abbott and Geneva would provide $28.7 million for consumers and third-party payers in Illinois and 17 other states. The most direct way for consumers to obtain claims forms is through the settlement website, http://www.terazosinlitigation.com. Claims forms must be mailed to the settlement administrator no later than July 15, 2005.

The settlement will benefit consumers who purchased terazosin products between October 15, 1995, and March 7, 2005, and amounts of refunds will depend on how many consumers file claims against the settlement fund. The settlement applies to consumers and third-party payers in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Between 1999 and 2001, a number of consumers filed lawsuits against Abbott and Geneva. The cases were consolidated into a single lawsuit in federal court in the Southern District of Florida. After conducting their own investigations, the states of Florida, Kansas and Colorado filed their own lawsuit in the same court. The settlement establishes a separate $2 million fund to reimburse state agency claims and litigation costs incurred by Florida, Kansas and Colorado.

Consumers may obtain a claims form from the settlement website, http://www.terazosinlitigation.com; by calling the settlement administrator toll-free at 1-877-886-0283; or by writing to the settlement administrator at:

In re Terazosin Hydrochloride Antitrust Litigation
c/o Complete Claim Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 24607
West Palm Beach, FL 33416

This Hytrin Antitrust information also available in PDF Format

Sorbates Settlement
Attorney General Lisa Madigan is pleased to announce the proposed settlement of State of Illinois v. Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. The proposed settlement will provide $1,610,000 for health, fitness or nutrition programs in Illinois.

If you are an Illinois resident and purchased food or household products containing preservatives know as Sorbates during the period 1979 through 1997, you are a member of the class represented in this case. If you do not want to remain in that class, you must opt out of the case by October 18, 2004. If you want to remain in the class and comment on the proposed settlement, you must notify the court by December 15, 2004. If you wish to take either action, or just want more information about this case, please review the documents below:

• Short form notice (as published in many local papers) (English)  (Español)

• Long form notice (English  (Español) 

The following pdf documents are also available to provide additional information about this case:

• Court Order Granting Preliminary Approval of the Proposed Settlement

• Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Approval with attached Form of Release, Notice Plan, and proposed Final Judgment

• Settlement Agreement with Group Defendants

• Settlement Agreement with Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry, Ltd.

• Motion to File Revised Amended Complaint and Attached Complaint

• Memorandum In Support Of Illinois’ Motion For Final Approval Of Settlements

Salton Settlement

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is pleased to announce the availability of grant funds from the Salton Anti-Trust Settlement to serve the interests of those persons affected by the increased prices of George Foreman grills. The grant funds were available to Illinois not-for-profit organizations for new health and/or nutrition related programs.

The application deadline was February 2, 2004.

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