Direct Purchaser Class Certified in Zetia MDL

In an order entered on August 21, 2020 in the Zetia (Ezetimibe) Antitrust Litigation MDL, Senior United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith overruled Defendants’ objections and adopted and approved in full United States Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller’s prior Report and Recommendation proposing to certify a 35-member class of Zetia direct purchasers.  

Zetia is a brand pharmaceutical drug indicated to reduce blood cholesterol levels marketed in the United States by Merck & Co., Inc.  Plaintiffs in the MDL allege that Merck conspired with its ostensible generic competitors Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA to forestall generic competition and thereby preserve billions of dollars in annual Zetia brand sales for several years.

Faruqi and Faruqi, LLP is one of the leading firms representing the direct purchaser class plaintiffs in the MDL.