Thousands of West Virginia consumers who purchased Lipitor between March 24, 2010, and Nov. 30, 2011, have only hours to claim their share of an $8.25 million settlement with Ranbaxy Laboratories. Class members can receive up to $599 without having to establish their purchase first, and must file by July 28, 2025.
Background of the Lipitor price-fixing lawsuit
In 2013, Pfizer and Ranbaxy were sued by the West Virginia Attorney General for a “pay-for-delay” conspiracy that artificially prolonged Pfizer’s monopoly over Lipitor by suppressing generic competition. After more than a decade of lawsuits, the Circuit Court of Mason County resolved a sum of $17 million on December 12, 2024, at the cost of $8.75 million from Pfizer and $8.25 million from Ranbaxy to settle with affected consumers and the state.
Settlement fund and individual payouts
Ranbaxy’s portion of the settlement fund, $8.25 million, will be distributed proportionally to qualified claimants. Depending on how many acceptable claims are submitted, each such claimant could receive as much as a maximum of $599. The levels of payout will decrease if more individuals submit valid claims because the fund is split proportionately.
Claimants do not need to present proof of purchase when submitting their initial claims. In accordance with settlement terms, the administrator may subsequently ask for documentation to support a claim, but failure to do so to begin with will not invalidate an otherwise legitimate claim.
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for compensation, individuals must have:
- Purchased, paid for, or reimbursed for branded Lipitor in West Virginia
- Made the purchases between March 24, 2010, and November 30, 2011
Class members are those who bought Lipitor for their own consumption directly, and third-party payors such as employers or insurers who paid the cost of Lipitor during the period.
Forms for filing claims can be downloaded from the settlement administrator’s website or received by mail. Claim forms must be mailed and postmarked by July 28, 2025. Proof of purchase is not required at the time of filing, but claimants are advised to save receipts or pharmacy records in case they are ever requested by the administrator.
Coming deadline and what to do
As the July 28 deadline approaches, those who qualify and those who operate businesses should act as fast as they can to not miss out on compensation. Anyone who believes they are eligible should:
- Visit the settlement website or request a paper claim form.
- Complete the claim form with personal and purchasing information. Proof of purchase is optional but may be included.
- Mail in or submit the form electronically so that it’s received or postmarked on or before July 28, 2025.
Impact and legal context
This settlement is a part of broader efforts to combat anticompetitive behavior that halted the introduction of generics, which lower drug prices. By eliminating initial proof requirements, the administrator aims to reduce barriers to participation and pay fair compensation to those claimants who are eligible.
Failing to meet the deadline to file a claim will forfeit all entitlement to payment. Both consumers and payors must make use of these last days to claim as much as $599 each from the Ranbaxy settlement fund.
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