Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that fights different types of bacterial infections, such as urinary tract or gastrointestinal infections. It is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax. Ciprofloxacin should only be used for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic as it has been known to cause some […]
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that fights different types of bacterial infections, such as urinary tract or gastrointestinal infections. It is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax. Ciprofloxacin should only be used for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic as it has been known to cause some serious or disabling side effects.
Cipro has been the subject of a class action lawsuit where a partial settlement has been reached. The lawsuit claims that Bayer Corporation, Barr Laboratories, Inc., Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc., Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and The Rugby Group, Inc. violated antitrust and consumer protections laws by cooperating to not compete with one another. They also allegedly agreed to keep lower cost generic versions of Cipro off the market. The manufacturers deny this claim.
It was agreed that Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc., Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and The Rugby Group, Inc. will pay $100 million into a Settlement Fund, and after attorneys’ fees are deducted, along with costs and other fees and expenses, the Fund will be distributed to Class members who file claims that are valid. Payments will be based on the number of valid claims filed and how much each individual paid for Cipro. The estimated amount to go to consumers will be a minimum of $25 each.
Individuals included in the settlement are those who paid a pharmacy, doctor’s office, or hospital for some or all of a Cipro prescription in California between January 8, 1997 and December 31, 2005.
The Settlement Agreement only involves Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc., Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and The Rugby Group, Inc. Bayer Corporation has previously settled. The case against Barr Laboratories, Inc., will continue.
