Drug maker to pay Washington state nearly $2.2 million as part of fraud investigation

OLYMPIA, Wash. — An opioid manufacturer and distributor will pay Washington state nearly $2.2 million as part of a Medicaid fraud investigation, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday.

The investigation alleged that Reckitt Benckiser Group improperly kept the price of opioid addiction treatment drug Suboxone high by delaying generic versions.

According to Ferguson, delaying the generic versions resulted in false or fraudulent claims to Washington's Medicaid program.

The investigation also alleged that the company improperly marketed Suboxone.

Friday's agreement resolved six whistleblower lawsuits in federal courts in Virginia and New Jersey and involved more that $700 million in payouts to the federal government and state Medicaid programs, Ferguson said.

Washington was a party to five of the six lawsuits.

"Opioid addiction is an epidemic in Washington state and around the country," Ferguson said. "We will continue to hold drug companies accountable for the damage they caused and their willingness to put profits over people."

As part the agreement, Washington will return $1,073,357 to the federal government for administration of Medicaid in the state.

Whistleblowers in the False Claims Act cases will be paid $113,478, Ferguson said.

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