Boehringer Ingelheim Faces Setback, Judge Rules Against Pharma Giant In Medicare Negotiation Battle

A federal judge has rejected Boehringer Ingelheim's challenge to the new Medicare drug price negotiation program, marking another legal defeat for the pharmaceutical industry. The company contended before the U.S. District Court of Connecticut that the drug pricing law was unconstitutional based on four constitutional provisions and that Medicare officials had breached procedural laws.

Judge Michael Shea dismissed Boehringer Ingelheim's arguments on all counts in a decision released late Wednesday. Boehringer Ingelheim has yet to comment on the ruling. The company's diabetes drug, Jardiance, was among the first medications chosen for the negotiation program.