On Monday, October 29, four pharmacy chains and one wholesaler filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories over the price of its antiretroviral drug Norvir (pharmalot.com/The Wall Street Journal, 10/30).
Safeway, Walgreen, Kroger, Supervalu’s New Albertson’s and American Sales accuse Abbott of abusing its monopoly as the sole provider of Norvir when it increased the drug's price in 2003.
An Abbott spokesman has said that the suit is without merit.
Two HIV-positive people in California and the Service Employees International Union Health and Welfare Fund have already sued Abbott. That suit is scheduled to go to trial in June 2008.
"I'm HIV positive and diabetic (as well as have high cholesterol) and some of my meds specify taking them with 'high fat foods' which I have to do twice a day. I've eaten as healthy as possible, but when it comes to high fat foods, I am in a quandary...about what to eat sometimes..."
