Hawaii Secures Historic $700M Settlement from Pharma Giants

The state of Hawaii has secured a $700 million settlement from pharmaceutical giants Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi, resolving over a decade of litigation concerning their blood-thinning drug Plavix. The lawsuit alleged the companies failed to warn that Plavix was less effective for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian populations, who are more likely to lack an enzyme necessary for the drug's activation. Although a judge originally awarded Hawaii $916 million, the settlement will expedite payment and avoid prolonged appeals. State officials, including Gov. Josh Green and Attorney General Anne Lopez, have hailed the agreement as the largest in Hawaii's history, with funds earmarked for public health and human services programs. The case underscores Hawaii's commitment to enforcing consumer protection laws regardless of a corporation's size. The settlement is expected to be paid by June 9, 2025, providing critical resources at a time of fiscal uncertainty and recent natural disasters.