SEATTLE – Steve Berman, lead counsel in litigation against a group of leading pharmaceutical companies, applauded the settlement between five states and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) in the Average Wholesale Price drug litigation.

"I believe GSK did the right thing by coming to the table and reaching an agreement that will help millions of consumers to recover the excess costs for drugs," said Berman.

In the announcement yesterday, five states joined in a $70 million settlement with the pharmaceutical giant, concerning the method in which the drug company sets their pricing for states, insurers and consumers.

"While the settlement does release GSK from any further claims in this case, there are still many drug companies who have not answered for their actions," Berman said. "We intend to carry on with the fight on behalf of consumers and third-party payers"

According to Berman, there are more than a dozen remaining defendants, including pharmaceutical heavyweights AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY).

"We've tried to work with the remaining defendants, but have had little success in resolving these matters," said Berman. "It's a shame they continue to act in a way we believe defrauds consumers and third-party payers and insist on playing a game of litigation brinksmanship. In the end, though, we believe we will prevail."

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in nine cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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