NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging eligible consumers to submit claims for compensation from settlements involving generic drug manufacturers accused of illegally colluding to raise prices and limit competition.

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The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut recently gave preliminary approval to a plan to distribute tens of millions of dollars to consumers who overpaid for certain generic drugs. Eligible New Yorkers must submit claims by March 8, 2027.

The settlements stem from a multistate investigation into allegations that dozens of generic drug manufacturers and executives conspired to fix prices, avoid competition and rig bids involving more than 100 drugs.

“For years, dozens of pharmaceutical companies cheated New Yorkers with shady backroom deals that raised prices,” James said. “These companies inflated generic drug prices and forced hard-working families to pay excessive amounts for essential medications.”

The generic drugs involved included tablets, capsules, creams and ointments used to treat conditions ranging from infections and diabetes to cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV and ADHD.

According to the lawsuits, some coordinated price increases exceeded 1,000%. In one example cited by the attorney general’s office, the price of the heart medication digoxin tripled.

Consumers can submit claims online through AGGenericDrugs.com. Claim forms can also be requested from the claims administrator by email at [email protected], by phone at 1-866-290-0182 or by mail using the address listed on the claims website.

The settlements are connected to three lawsuits filed by James and a coalition of state attorneys general in 2016, 2019 and 2020.

The first lawsuit targeted 18 companies and two individuals and involved 15 generic drugs. The second, filed in 2019, named 22 generic drug manufacturers and 16 senior executives. The third, filed in 2020, focused on 80 topical generic drugs and named 26 companies and 10 individuals.

The lawsuits allege that executives from competing pharmaceutical companies communicated through meetings, dinners, lunches, social events, telephone calls, emails and text messages to coordinate pricing and reduce competition.

The coalition has secured $96 million through settlements with Apotex and Heritage, Bausch and Lannett, and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals USA. The companies also agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and implement reforms aimed at preventing future antitrust violations.

The settlements are part of a broader multistate effort involving attorneys general from 47 states and territories, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

James urged eligible New Yorkers who purchased qualifying generic drugs to file claims before the March 8, 2027, deadline.