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Supply of drugs to NHS
30/04/2008
Scottish Ministers and Scottish Health Boards have agreed settlement of their civil claims against another major international pharmaceutical company for alleged anti-competitive cartel conduct in connection with the supply of drugs to the NHS.
Norton Healthcare Limited and Norton Pharmaceuticals Limited have agreed, on a full and final basis and without admission of liability, to pay £2,837,500 in compensation and to provide co-operation in connection with the continuing civil claims against a number of other companies regarding the alleged price fixing arrangements for a number of drugs.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, said:
"I am very pleased that the position with Norton has been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties in these proceedings.
"This is a particularly welcome and encouraging development. The Scottish Government is committed to the highest standards of healthcare at all levels."
Neil Billing, Head of Service at NHSScotland Counter Fraud Services, added:
"I am glad that the CFS's contribution has helped to bring about this positive conclusion."
In February 2005, the Scottish Ministers and Scottish Health Boards lodged claims in the civil courts in England against a number of companies, in connection with forming alleged price-fixing cartels in respect of the following drugs - warfarin, ranitidine and penicillin-based drugs.
Norton has already settled a similar claim with the Department of Health in England without admission of liability and has now agreed a settlement with Scottish Ministers/Scottish Health Boards without admission of liability.