Three generic drug wholesalers, Oak Drugs (“Oak”), Matrix Distributors (“Matrix”), and Primed Pharmaceuticals (“Primed”) are challenging Optum Rx’s VAWD Requirement. The plaintiffs have recently received encouraging news from the U.S District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Original Filing
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constitutional claims (express preemption under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act and violation of due process);
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tortious interference with the plaintiff’s business operations;
- and violations of New Jersey and New York statutes dealing with consumer fraud.¹
Regarding the alleged constitutional violations, the plaintiffs sought an order enjoining the NABP from operating its VAWD program and enjoining Optum Rx from enforcing its VAWD requirement.² The other causes sought monetary damages from both the NABP and Optum Rx.³
Current Status
The case was removed to federal court, where the action is currently proceeding.⁴ The plaintiffs most recently applied for a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) from the court.⁵ Although the request for a blanket temporary restraining order was formally denied, the court entered an order that referenced the “grandfathering” of the distributor’s current pharmaceutical inventory.⁶
According to the transcripts of the hearing regarding the TRO, it appears that this would allow Oak, Matrix and Primed to sell what they had in existing inventory, as of December 31, 2018, free of Optum Rx’s VAWD requirement. However, the specifics of this arrangement are still being discussed.
The court has ordered an expedited evidentiary proceeding, set for February 22, 2019.⁷ The February 22, 2019 hearing will consider plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction barring Optum from implementing its VAWD-accreditation requirement.
Future Impact
References
2. Id.
3. Id. at 52-53.
4. Notice of Removal, Matrix Distributors, Inc. et al. v. Nat’l. Assoc. of Boards of Pharmacy et al., No. 2:18-cv-17462-KM-MAH (D. N.J. Dec. 20, 2018).
5. Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Matrix Distributors, Inc. et al. v. Nat’l. Assoc. of Boards of Pharmacy et al., No. 2:18-cv-17462-KM-MAH (D. N.J. Dec. 2018).
6. Order Denying Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Matrix Distributors, Inc. et al. v. Nat’l. Assoc. of Boards of Pharmacy et al., No. 2:18-cv-17462-KM-MAH (D. N.J. Dec. 28, 2018).
7. Id.
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