Iowa issues lawsuits against 78 drug companies

DES MOINES, Iowa “The state of Iowa has sued 78 drug companies, alleging that they inflated the cost paid by Iowa taxpayers under the Medicaid program,” Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced in his office yesterday, according to Radio Iowa News.

The lawsuit covers a 13-year period, from 1992 to 2005. During that time, Miller said Iowa’s Medicaid program spent $1.6 billion for drugs. Therefore, Miller believes that millions of dollars are at stake in this lawsuit.

Almost two dozen other states have filed similar lawsuits, including Texas which has received over $55 million so far.

The federal government funds about 67 percent of Iowa’s Medicaid program.