Becton, McKesson, Cardinal Win Antitrust Appeal Over Syringes

Becton Dickinson & Co., Cardinal Health Inc., and McKesson Corp. escaped antitrust litigation Friday over an alleged scheme to clear the market for certain syringes and IV catheters, when a federal appeals court in Chicago upheld a decision throwing out the case.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled for the device maker and distributors, agreeing with Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel’s conclusion that collusion between the companies appeared unlikely and that it would have been unlikely to affect marketwide prices anyway.

Judge Amy J. St. Eve, writing for the court, said the health care facilities ...