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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Sanofi-Aventis

Cardizem CD Settlement

Date: 05/31/2005 (Date of Final Approval)

Misconduct Type: Health

Enforcement Agency: Non-Governmental

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Civil

Amount: Unknown

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: A nationwide class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all individuals who paid for prescriptions of the heart medication Cardizem CD, manufactured by Aventis, and/or its generic versions between 1998 and 2003. The lawsuit alleged Aventis and Andrx, maker of the generic version of Cardizem CD, conspired to keep the generic version off the market, causing consumers and third party payers to overpay for the drug. Aventis and Andrx agreed to pay $80 million, in addition to a separate $110 million settlement reached between the companies and drug wholesalers involving the same allegations.