Johnson & Johnson was hit by a class action lawsuit on Monday. The health plans for employees do not negotiate lower prices on prescription drugs, which cost employees thousands of dollars in overpayments to generic drugs.
This lawsuit opened in a new tab that was brought in New Jersey federal court by Ann Lewandowski, a healthcare policy and advocacy director. Claims Johnson & Johnson of breaching its obligations pursuant to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to manage its benefits plans for employees.
Johnson & Johnson‘s self-funded health plans offer inflated rates to the pharmacy benefit managers of many generic medicines and, in turn, increase the cost of out-of-pocket expenses for employees, as per the lawsuit.
For instance, plan One will pay $1,629 to cover 90 pills of the HIV antiviral drug abacavir-lamivudine, which costs pharmacies approximately $180, as per the complaint. Prescriptions for teriflunomide, which is used to treat MS, typically cost just $177 in the pocket of Johnson and Johnson’s health insurance plans and pay up to $10,200, as per the lawsuit.
“No prudent fiduciary would agree to make its plan and beneficiaries pay a price that is two-hundred-and-fifty times higher than the price available to any individual who just walks into a pharmacy and pays out-of-pocket,” Lewandowski’s lawyers wrote in the complaint.
Johnson & Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for information.
Lewandowski was hired by Johnson & Johnson in 2021 and is responsible for healthcare policy within Wisconsin and Minnesota, as per the lawsuit. The complaint claims Lewandowski is currently on a leave of absence from the company “due to a dispute regarding a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition.”
The lawsuit seeks to create a national collection that includes Johnson & Johnson health plan beneficiaries and participants. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and the statutory penalties that are imposed under ERISA.
In conclusion, if you or a loved one have been affected by the potential risks associated with J&J talcum powder, taking action is crucial.
Seek a free case evaluation from The Justice Now, a trusted resource dedicated to helping those affected. Don’t hesitate to explore your legal options and secure the compensation and support you deserve.
Act now to protect your health and well-being and hold Johnson & Johnson accountable for their products.
