HONOLULU — Hawaii is set to receive $700 million in a historic settlement from pharmaceutical companies Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi regarding the blood thinner Plavix, according to Governor Josh Green. This resolution ends a lengthy legal battle that spanned over ten years, highlighting serious concerns about the drug’s efficacy in specific populations.
The settlement addresses allegations that the companies failed to adequately warn patients that Plavix may be less effective for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian individuals. Between 1998 and 2010 alone, the state recorded over 837,000 prescriptions for the medication, which requires activation by liver enzymes.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our fight for accountability,” Green stated at a press conference. “This is not just a win for the state, but a victory for all those who were affected by this lack of disclosure.”
In May 2024, a Hawaii Circuit Court awarded the state $916 million in damages, citing unfair and deceptive business practices related to Plavix’s marketing. The parties opted for the $700 million settlement to expedite compensation rather than navigate the lengthy appeals process. Each company will contribute half of the total amount, with payments scheduled to be completed by June 9.
Hawaii’s Attorney General Anne Lopez emphasized the implications of this case, stating, “This settlement sends a strong message to corporations operating in Hawaii that we will vigorously uphold consumer protection laws.”
The state’s lawsuit, initiated in 2014 with support from private law firms, brought to light the drug’s reduced efficacy in patients with certain liver-enzyme mutations prevalent among Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This group comprised nearly 30% of the users of Plavix in Hawaii.
Following the 2024 court ruling, Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi expressed their disagreement with the judgment, asserting they intended to appeal the decision due to what they called “unwarranted” penalties. The companies maintained that extensive scientific evidence supports the drug’s safety and effectiveness, regardless of genetic factors.
The case garnered national attention, raising critical questions about racial disparities in pharmaceutical effectiveness and the responsibility of companies to disclose vital information. Green praised the efforts of the Attorney General’s Office and outside legal counsel, highlighting the perseverance required to achieve this outcome.
“It has been 13 years of advocacy, including two trials and intense negotiations,” he noted. “Finally, we developed a resolution that serves the people of Hawaii.”
The settlement funds will be directed toward public health initiatives and support services that have historically been underfunded. Officials emphasize that this windfall is not merely financial; it represents a commitment to better health outcomes for the state’s residents.
Introduced in 1998, Plavix was marketed as a superior and more costly alternative to aspirin for preventing heart attacks and strokes. However, in 2010, following ongoing concerns about its efficacy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required the companies to add a “black box” warning regarding its limitations for certain genetic profiles, a pivotal factor in precipitating the state’s lawsuit.