Summary
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) disclosed two significant legal proceedings in this 8-K filing from September 14, 2005. The first, filed by Daniels Sharpsmart, alleges that BDX and other defendants engaged in anti-competitive practices and violated antitrust laws to exclude the plaintiff from the sharps-collection market through long-term contracts. The second lawsuit, filed by SAJ Distributors, Inc., is a class action suit alleging BDX violated federal antitrust laws, leading to overcharging for certain products to direct purchasers. Both lawsuits seek undisclosed money damages.
Key Highlights
- 1BDX is facing an antitrust lawsuit filed by Daniels Sharpsmart alleging conspiracy to monopolize the sharps-collection market.
- 2A separate class action lawsuit has been filed by SAJ Distributors, Inc., accusing BDX of violating antitrust laws and charging inflated prices for its products.
- 3Both lawsuits were filed in September 2005.
- 4The plaintiff in the Daniels Sharpsmart suit seeks to exclude BDX and others from the sharps-collection market.
- 5The SAJ Distributors suit is a class action on behalf of direct purchasers, similar to a previous lawsuit filed in March 2005.
- 6BDX firmly believes it has strong defenses against these claims and intends to contest them vigorously.