ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s attorney general says a drug manufacturer has been ordered to halt plans to discontinue its widely used Alzheimer’s medication, allegedly in an effort to drive patients to a newer patented drug.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman alleges anti-trust and state law violations by Dublin-based Actavis PLC and New York subsidiary Forest Laboratories in an effort to avoid losses from cheaper generic alternatives coming out next year.
The company has said its new drug — taken once daily instead of twice — is better and that demand is growing.
At issue is the drug Namenda and the newer Namenda XR.
Schneiderman says Thursday’s court ruling prevents a scheme to block competition and keep drug prices high.
The company said it would appeal, and a hearing is set for Monday.