Suit vs. big drug wholesaler can go forward, judge rules

NEW YORK A class-action suit against McKesson Corp. can go forward, a federal judge has ruled, allowing consumers in the suit to pursue claims that the health care service and drug distribution giant engaged in a pricing fraud.

According to a report from the Reuters news agency, U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris certified the suit after concluding that the plaintiffs in the case had a "persuasive argument" in alleging that McKesson and First Databank together set an artificially high average wholesale price for drugs reimbursed by Medicaid and private insurers. Among the plaintiff class are consumers who made co-payments on branded prescription drugs between 2001 and 2005, according to the report.

McKesson does not comment on pending litigation.