18 states sue Abbott over drug

LIBERTYVILLE TOWNSHIP -- Eighteen states have sued Abbott Laboratories in federal court, alleging the drug maker blocked generic competition for a popular cholesterol medication, state officials said Tuesday. The antitrust lawsuit against Abbott and French drug company Fournier Industrie et Sante and Laboratories Fournier SA, charges the companies sought to block competition for a cheaper, generic version of the prescription drug TriCor. The states allege in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Del., the companies continuously made minor changes in the formulation of TriCor to prevent cheaper generic versions from being marketed. Abbott spokeswoman Melissa Brotz said Abbott has not prevented the marketing of drugs similar to TriCor, as there are eight other products already available.