BuSpar

Through the work of Gray Panthers and the SPAN (Stop Patient Abuse Now)
coalition, Bristol-Myers Squibb was forced by a federal court to ask the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to de-list the new patent it received for the anti-anxiety drug, BuSpar. Less costly versions of the drug are now on the way to consumers, including AIDS patients, Alzheimer patients, and one-in-10 nursing home patients who rely on the medication.

During BuSpar's four additional months of patent protection, the company reaped nearly $200 million in sales, and consumers were forced to pay artificially high prices for the drug as a result of the company's apparent unlawful action. The Gray Panthers and Span are considering several options to help patients recoup their losses including joining in a class action suite. Persons who have purchased or received BuSpar since November 2000 are encouraged to contact the National Gray Panther office immediately (1-800-280-5362 or tfuller@graypanthers.org). 

K-Dur

The Pharmaceutical Access Litigation Project is looking for users of the drug K-Dur, also known as Micro-K in connection with a class action suit. K-Dur is a drug often used by individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure). PALP is a collaborative venture with consumer health law programs throughout the country to bring class action lawsuits against drug companies that engage in illegal practices to prevent generic drugs from being made available to consumers.

Persons taking K-Dur, please contact the Health Law Program at 1-800-838-0388 and ask for Peter or Jon. Or e-mail Jon at jbolton@mainecahc.org.