Novartis to fight US price-fixing claims against Sandoz unit

ZURICH: Novartis on Monday said claims of price fixing against its Sandoz generics unit amid a U.S. probe of 20 drugmakers are without merit, with the Swiss company vowing to fight allegations in a lawsuit filed last week.

"We believe that these claims are without merit and will vigorously contest them," Novartis said. "Sandoz takes its obligations under the antitrust laws seriously.

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We will continue to be committed to providing high-quality, affordable medicines to U.S. patients, and conducting business with customers and the government with integrity."

The 500-page lawsuit, filed by U.S. states on Friday, contends drugmakers conspired to inflate drug prices, sometimes by more than 1,000% or more, as well as stifle competition.

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