Drug companies to pay Hawaii $700 million to settle Plavix blood thinner lawsuit

HONOLULU (AP) — Pharmaceutical companies have agreed to pay Hawaii $700 million to settle its lawsuit over the efficacy and safety of the blood thinner Plavix, the state attorney general’s office announced Friday.

A court ruling last year ordered Bristol Myers Squibb Company and three U.S.-based subsidiaries of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi to pay a combined $916 million.

But before an appeal was decided, a settlement was reached for the lower amount, the attorney general’s office said.

A statement distributed by Sanofi said the companies “are pleased to resolve this litigation, and to continue their companies’ focus on discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines to patients.”

“Plavix has helped millions of people with cardiovascular disease ...