2 firms to appeal $114M verdict in drug case

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) _ Drug companies GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis say they will appeal a jury verdict ordering them to pay more than $114 million to Alavbama for overcharging the state’s Medicaid program for prescription drugs.

And an attorney for the state says letters have been sent to 69 other companies with drug pricing lawsuits pending against them. They’re being given 30 days to settle the state’s claims.

A jury in Montgomery on Tuesday found GSK liable for nearly $81 million in compensatory damages. It found Novartis liable for about $33 million in similar damages.