NATIONAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH PLAN v. JOHNSON & JOHNSON
Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN RE REMICADE ANTITRUST CIVIL ACTION LITIGATION NO. 17-4326-KSM
ORDER
AND NOW, this 15th day of March, 2023, upon consideration of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Final Approval of Settlement, Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, and Service Awards (Doc. No. 195), and all documents submitted in support thereof, it is ORDERED as follows: 1. Plaintiffs’ motion is GRANTED for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum. 2. The Court certifies the following settlement class pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23(a) and 23(b)(3): All persons and entities in the United States and its territories who indirectly purchased, paid and/or provided reimbursement for some or all of the purchase price of Defendants’ infliximab from April 5, 2016 through February 28, 2022 (the “Class Period”). The following groups are excluded from the Class: (a) Defendants, their officers, directors, management, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates; (b) all federal and state governmental entities except for cities, towns or municipalities with self-funded prescription drug plans; (c) all persons or entities who purchased Defendants’ infliximab for purposes of resale or who purchased infliximab directly from Defendants; (d) fully insured health plans (i.e., health plans that purchased insurance covering 100% of their reimbursement obligation to members); (e) any “flat co-pay” consumers whose purchases of Defendants’ infliximab were paid in part by a third-party payor and whose co-payment was the same regardless of the retail purchase price; (f) pharmacy benefit managers; (g) any judges or justices involved in this Action and any members of their immediate families; and (h) any providers (including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, and physicians) who purchase Remicade and are later reimbursed for the provision of Remicade. 3. The Court finds that the Notice Plan and the Notice constituted the best notice practicable under the circumstances and constituted valid, due, and sufficient notice to members of the Settlement Class. 4. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e) and the factors set forth in Girsh v. Jepson, 521 F.2d 153, 157 (3d Cir. 1975), the Court finds the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and
adequate and APPROVES the Settlement. 5. Jose Gomez’s objections (Doc. Nos. 206, 207) are OVERRULED. 6. As of the Effective Date, by operation of the entry of the Final Approval Order and Judgment, each Settlement Class Member shall be deemed to have fully released, waived, relinquished and discharged, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all Released Claims and Unknown Claims that the Settlement Class Members may have against all the Released Persons. 7. The Court AWARDS Class Counsel $7,000,000 in attorneys’ fees, which the Court finds are fair and reasonable based on the Court’s independent analysis and consideration of the factors set forth in Gunter v. Ridgewood Energy Corp., 223 F.3d 190, 195 n.1 (3d Cir. 2000) and
In re Prudential Ins. Co. Am. Sales Practice Litig. Agent Actions, 148 F.3d 283, 338 (3d Cir. 1998). 8. The Court AWARDS Class Counsel $2,288,388.90 in out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the prosecution of this action, which the Court finds are fair and reasonable. 9. The Court AWARDS National Employees Health Plan $15,000.00 as a Class Representative service award. 10. The Court AWARDS Local 295 Employer Group Welfare Fund $15,600.00 as a Class Representative service award. 11. This matter is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The Court maintains jurisdiction over the enforcement of the Settlement. IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Karen Spencer Marston _______________________________ KAREN SPENCER MARSTON, J.
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NATIONAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH PLAN v. JOHNSON & JOHNSON (NATIONAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH PLAN v. JOHNSON & JOHNSON) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.