GSK Sued for Monopoly on Ventolin, Arnuity Ellipta Inhalers (1)

GlaxoSmithKline PLC misused the federal drug-device approval process to maintain an unlawful monopoly on its asthma inhalers, leading to artificially inflated prices, a lawsuit filed in a Missouri-based federal court says.

The drugmaker has avoided competition from generic manufacturers for over 60 years due to patent and regulatory protection for its Ventolin line of inhalers, the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri says.

Additionally, GSK’s Flovent and Arnuity Ellipta inhalers have received market exclusivity for over 35 years, leading to higher prices for its inhaler products, a purchaser says in a proposed class ...