CVS Agrees to $3.8 Million Lidocaine Patch False-Ad Class Deal

Consumers alleging that CVS Pharmacy Inc. deceptively portrayed lidocaine pain-relief products asked a federal judge to preliminarily approve a class settlement providing $3.8 million and label changes.

Monique Bell, Tree Anderson, and Melissa Conklin sued in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, challenging label statements that the over-the-counter products are “maximum strength” and that patches could reliably adhere to the body for up to eight or 12 hours. Stronger products are available by prescription, and the CVS patches don’t stay on the skin for as long as claimed, the plaintiffs alleged.

CVS has agreed to ...