Qmed Staff

September 20, 2013

1 Min Read
Becton Dickinson Ordered to Pay $113 Million in Syringe Case

Becton Dickinson has been ordered by a Texas jury to pay $113 million in compensation to Retractable Technologies. The verdict comes after a six-year antitrust battle over safety syringes and related products.

Under the federal antitrust statute, Becton Dickinson may have to pay a reward three times higher than the current amount. In a statement shared with the press, Jeffrey Sherman, senior vice president of the BD, stated that the company "will file an appeal at the earliest opportunity."

Retractable Technologies manufactures IV catheters, syringes and blood collection devices. In a press release, the company stated that the Texas jury verdict vindicates many of its claims against "industry giant" Becton Dickinson. Retractable Technologies also states that BD attempted to maintain a monopoly in the safety syringe industry through the use of false advertising (as defined by the Lanham Act).

In Becton Dickinson's muted response, the verdict was described as "mixed." While the company did note the verdict regarding the Lanham Act claim, it also noted that the jury rejected a broader monopoly claim against BD by RT. In that broader claim, RT alleged that BD maintained a monopoly in safety IV catheters and conventional syringes. On top of this, the Texas jury rejected a claim by RT for contractual restraint of trade.

While it could have been worse for BD, the company will mark down a $340 million pretax charge for its Q4 2013 results.

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