Drug Settlement Will Net Some Ohioans Cash

COLUMBUS, OH — More than 2,000 Ohioans will be getting a check in the mail as part of a multi-state settlement with Cephalon Inc., a drug manufacturer accused of anti-competitive practices. The average check will be for $830, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.

"We worked hard to recover this money for consumers, and we hope it will help Ohio families,” DeWine said in a statement.

Cephalon was accused of anti-competitive practices by Ohio, New York, Vermont, Indiana, and Minnesota. The states argued that the manufacturer wanted to protect its profits on Provigil, a wakefulness drug that fights narcolepsy and other conditions.

Ultimately, Cephalon settled with Ohio and 48 other states. Ohio’s total recovery was expected to be about $4 million, including an estimated $1.67 million for Ohio customers who used Provigil between 2006 and 2012.

Any Ohioans that submitted eligible claims related to the settlement will receive a check "proportional to the amount of Provigil they bought" between June 24, 2006 and March 31, 2012, DeWine's office said. Each check will be void 90 days after it is issued, so consumers will want to deposit those checks quickly.

DeWine also said consumers should be weary of potential scams that ask for payment in exchange for a check.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch