Jury: $14.7 Million Verdict Against AstraZeneca

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky jury has hit British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC with a $14.7 million verdict in a case that claimed the company inflated its prescription drug prices for Medicaid reimbursements.

Attorney General Jack Conway said in a statement that he's pleased the office was able to recover money for Kentucky's Medicaid program. The Medicaid program calculates its drug reimbursement rates based on published average wholesale prices. Prosecutors claimed AstraZeneca inflated those published prices.

Laura Woodin, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement that Wilmington, Del.-based AstraZeneca is disappointed by the jury's decision. Woodin said the company believes the claims are unfounded and is looking at options, including appeal.

The Alabama Supreme Court is considering an appeal of a verdict against the company in another Medicaid inflated drug-pricing fraud lawsuit.

A jury in Montgomery in 2008 awarded the state $215 million in damages. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Charles Price reduced the award to $160 million, which AstraZeneca appealed.