NH to get almost $900G as part of Suboxone settlement

CONCORD - The Attorney Generals office announced on Friday that 42 states including New Hampshire have negotiated a nationwide $102.5 million settlement with the maker of Suboxone, Indivior Inc. The Granite State will receive about $896,400 as a part of the agreement.

"Indivior's unlawful tactics hurt people in need by artificially increasing the cost of a crucial product used to treat addiction," said Attorney General John J. Formella. "As Indivior tried to preserve its monopoly over Suboxone, the company made it more expensive and challenging to treat opioid addiction. Added costs were passed directly to taxpayers and people trying to get help. Indivior's illegal actions truly put profits ahead of people, and with this settlement we are holding them accountable and obtaining significant relief for our citizens."

In 2016 the states filed a complaint against Indivior Inc. alleging that the company used illegal means to switch the Suboxone market from tablets to film while attempting to destroy the market for tablets, in order to preserve its drug monopoly. A trial was set for September.

The agreement, which will be submitted to the court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for approval, requires Indivior to pay the states $102.5 million. Indivior is also required to comply with negotiated injunctive terms that include disclosures to the states of all citizen petitions to the FDA, introduction of new products, or if there is a change in corporate control, which will help the states ensure that Indivior refrains from engaging in the same kind of conduct alleged in the complaint.