Generic Drug Maker Somerset to Pay $4 Million Over Misbranded Eye Drug Paid for by Medicare Part D
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on October 16 that generic drug maker Somerset Lifesciences has agreed to pay $4 million to settle federal claims.
According to the department, after the brand-name version of Somerset's generic eye drop olopatadine was switched from prescription to over-the-counter status in 2020, Somerset should have relabeled its product but continued selling it with prescription labeling. As a result, Medicare Part D paid for a non-covered over-the-counter drug. The settlement resolves common-law claims including payment by mistake and unjust enrichment.
Olopatadine is a widely used anti-allergy eye drop ingredient.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Olopatadine 滴眼液产品。图：Wikimedia Commons「CVS Health Olopatadine HCI Eye Drops.jpg」，CC BY-SA 4.0 授权。 / Photo: an olopatadine eye-drop product. Source: Wikimedia Commons ("CVS Health Olopatadine HCI Eye Drops.jpg"), CC BY-SA 4.0.
