DOJ Supports AbbVie in Suit Over Colorado’s Drug Discount Law

The US Department of Justice is backing pharmaceutical giant AbbVie Inc. in its lawsuit against a Colorado law that prohibits drugmakers from placing restrictions on steep drug discounts to pharmacies.

The amicus brief filed by the US government argues that federal law prohibits the enactment of Colorado’s 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act. The statute prevents pharmaceutical companies from restricting, limiting, or denying discounts for drugs distributed through contract pharmacies under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

“The federal government has a strong interest in the smooth functioning of the drug-discount program,” the DOJ said Wednesday in a filing at the ...