Date set for next trial of Alabama's drug lawsuits

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - An Alabama judge has scheduled a trial for October in the state's drug pricing lawsuit against drug manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Charles Price on Wednesday said jury selection will begin Oct. 27. Bristol-Myers Squibb is one of more than 70 companies the state has sued for allegedly overcharging the state's Medicaid program. State juries have returned verdicts in favor of the state in three of the cases. The state's lawsuits against Novartis AG subsidiary Sandoz and Abbott Laboratories were scheduled to be tried with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Price delayed the start of those trials, but did not set dates. Attorney Jere Beasley said the state is currently talking to about 20 drug companies about settling the case. He would not say which... [read full story]