Mylan’s Viatris unit cleared of Justice Department antitrust charges

Viatris announced Tuesday that its subsidiary, Mylan, is no longer the subject of a U.S. Justice Department antitrust investigation into alleged price-fixing in the generic drug industry, a development that marks a significant turnaround in an investigation that has been examining Mylan and several other major pharmaceutical companies for more than eight years.

The Justice Department’s investigation has targeted Mylan’s Viatris, as well as other well-known drugmakers, including Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, on charges that they engaged in anticompetitive practices to fix prices for some generic drugs. The prolonged scrutiny has also prompted multiple states to file lawsuits against the companies for similar antitrust violations.

Viatris, founded in 2020 by the merger of Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn business, produces a range of generic and brand-name drugs, including the well-known erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The specific investigation into Mylan focused on the pricing and marketing strategies for its generic antibiotic doxycycline, a drug used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including acne, pneumonia, Lyme disease, chlamydia, and syphilis. Doxycycline is manufactured by more than a dozen companies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration database.

In the statementViatris said the DOJ does not anticipate further action regarding the pricing and sales practices of its generic drugs. However, the company did not provide details on the reasoning behind the DOJ’s decision to remove Mylan from the investigation.

Despite the postponement, Viatris emphasized its commitment to defending against the remaining civil lawsuits related to the DOJ’s antitrust allegations. The company continues to navigate the legal landscape while maintaining its position on these claims.

The latest development provides some relief to Viatris amid ongoing legal challenges, but underscores the broader scrutiny the pharmaceutical industry faces over drug pricing practices. As the situation evolves, Viatris remains vigilant in its legal defense while continuing to pursue its mission of providing accessible healthcare solutions worldwide.

Source: Reuters