Letter to the editor: Drugmakers' illegal conduct

An open letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, regarding the generic drug manufacturing collusion civil lawsuit:

Why is this not being pursued in a criminal action ?

Under 15 US Code Chapter 1, anti-competitive business conduct such as price fixing, collusion and restraint-of-trade are felony offenses punishable by incarceration of the individuals/corporate officers responsible for pursuing such unlawful market manipulation.

Cash awards or settlements in a civil action are likely regarded as simply a cost of business, which is ultimately reflected in the prices of the product paid by consumers.

To put an end to such manipulative actions and to foster open business competition, those responsible for the illegal business conduct must be identified, charged as felons and, if found guilty, serve a prison sentence as prescribed by the law. Several drug company execs doing time behind bars for rigging markets will end these practices and deter many others from attempting similar subterfuge.

If pharmaceutical collusion is not prosecuted under the above referenced statutes, I must conclude that this action is simply a means to collect money to bolster state budgets rather than to strike at the heart of corruption in the medical-pharma complex.

I continue awaiting your reply.

Christopher Durkin

Castle Shannon