Drug-cost settlement reached

Patients treated by a list of mostly doctor-administered drugs over the past 17 years may be in line for a refund, thanks to the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that alleged price inflation.

A US District Court in Massachusetts has granted preliminary approval for the settlement, which will pay $21.8 million for claims that cover about 200 drugs.

The list encompasses treatments for cancer, infections, asthma, allergies, and HIV, among other conditions, according to a statement from the law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro. Drugs named in the list include AccuNeb, Cisplatin, Lidocaine hydrochloride, and Novacaine.

The lawsuit accused 11 drug makers of inflating the average wholesale price. The list includes Abbott Laboratories Inc., Baxter International Inc., Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Bayer Corp.

Patients can receive at least $35 if they show they paid percentage copayments for the drug, the statement said. People who made the copayments or paid full price between 1991 and March 1, 2008, are eligible.