MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The state of Vermont is going to have to pay $1.8 million in legal expenses incurred by an opponent in a losing legal battle over access to information about what drugs doctors prescribe their patients.

Earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a Vermont law that prevented pharmacies from sharing with drug companies information about doctors’ prescription writing practices.

The law was designed to encourage the use of generic drugs.

Now WCAX-TV (http://bit.ly/sfRL4J) is reporting that court papers say Vermont must pay the legal expenses of the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America.

Gov. Peter Shumlin says the Supreme Court’s decision that found the Vermont law unconstitutional was wrong. He says the decision means people will spend money on high priced drugs.

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Information from: WCAX-TV, http://www.wcax.com