Fourth Circuit Grants Motion to Dismiss Pfizer Antitrust Complaint

An appeals court granted a motion to dismiss an antitrust suit against Pfizer by a group of health benefit plans.

Eight plans, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Unions and Employers Midwest Health Benefits Fund and Wisconsin Mason’s Health Care Fund, filed the suit in October. The plans accused Pfizer of obtaining a patent for the inflammation drug Celebrex through anti-competitive practices.

On Dec. 7, however, after consultation with Pfizer’s attorneys, the plaintiffs moved to dismiss their appeal, with each side bearing its own costs. The Fourth Circuit court granted the motion on the same day.