Summary
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) filed a Form 8-K on March 31, 2005, reporting two significant events. Firstly, the company disclosed that on March 25, 2005, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. filed a proposed class action lawsuit alleging violations of federal antitrust laws related to pricing of certain BDX products. The plaintiff is seeking undisclosed money damages, but BDX believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself. Secondly, BDX announced on March 29, 2005, that it reached a settlement with C.A. Greiner & Soehne GmbH regarding a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Greiner in January 2004. This settlement resolves all outstanding claims between the two companies, removing a potential legal and financial overhang.
Key Highlights
- 1BDX is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging violations of federal antitrust laws and inflated product pricing.
- 2The lawsuit was filed by Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. in the United States District Court in Newark, New Jersey.
- 3BDX asserts that the allegations in the antitrust lawsuit are without merit and plans a vigorous defense.
- 4BDX has settled a patent infringement lawsuit with C.A. Greiner & Soehne GmbH, filed in London, England.
- 5The settlement with Greiner resolves all outstanding claims, providing closure to the patent dispute.
- 6The company's Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Public Policy, Dean J. Paranicas, signed the report.
- 7The report was filed on March 31, 2005, covering events that occurred on March 25 and March 29, 2005.