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Settlement over drug supply claims
04/03/2008
Scottish Ministers and Scottish Health Boards have reached settlement with an international pharmaceutical company of their civil claims for alleged anti-competitive cartel conduct in connection with the supply of drugs to the NHS.
Goldshield Group Plc, Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Forley Generics Ltd have agreed, on a full and final basis and without admission of liability, to pay £750,000 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 generic drugs.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, said:
"I am delighted that we have managed to reach a settlement agreement with Goldshield. This is a satisfactory conclusion to our negotiations."
The Chairman of Goldshield Group Plc, Keith Hellawell, said:
"We recognise the importance of building strong working relationships with our customers. We view the NHS as a valued customer and are therefore very pleased with today's settlement."
Neil Billing, Head of Service at NHSScotland Counter Fraud Services, added:
"I am glad that the CFS have helped in achieving this welcome outcome."
In February 2005, 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 generic drugs - Warfarin, Ranitidine and Penicillin-based drugs.
Goldshield Group Plc, Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Forley Generics Ltd have already settled, on a full and final basis and without admission of liability, a similar claim with the Department of Health in England.