J&J, Bristol Myers Fight US Drug Price Plan at Third Circuit (1)

Pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., and AstraZeneca PLC are rejecting federal district court decisions that rule a government drug price-setting program is constitutional and voluntary.

Opening briefs from Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers filed July 12 before the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit challenge an April decision from a federal judge in New Jersey that tossed the manufacturers’ claims that the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program violates the First Amendment compelled speech doctrine and Fifth Amendment takings clause.

AstraZeneca filed its opening appeal brief Monday before the Third Circuit after ...