Ky. court says drugmaker inflated prices, hands down $14.7 million verdict

Jury: $14.7 million verdict against AstraZeneca

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Kentucky jury has hit British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC with a $14.7 million verdict in a case that claimed the company inflated its prescription drug prices for Medicaid reimbursements.

State Attorney General Jack Conway said in a statement he’s pleased the office was able to recover money for Kentucky’s Medicaid program.

The state’s Medicaid program calculates its drug reimbursement rates based on published average wholesale prices. Prosecutors claimed AstraZeneca inflated those published prices.

Laura Woodin, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement that AstraZeneca is disappointed by the jury’s decision. Woodin says the company believes the claims are unfounded and is considering its options, including appeal.

The Alabama Supreme Court is currently considering the appeal of a verdict against AstraZeneca in a Medicaid drug pricing fraud lawsuit.

A jury in Montgomery in 2008 awarded the state $215 million in damages against AstraZenca in a lawsuit that accused the company of causing the state’s Medicaid program to pay too much for prescription judge. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Charles Price reduced the award to $160 million.

AstraZeneca appealed the verdict to the Alabama Supreme Court, which has yet to rule.