PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In response to the pharmaceutical giant Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals bankruptcy filing last week, Delaware Valley Health Care Coalition, Inc. (DVHCC) President John Heenan said, “Its crucial for our members to have a seat at the table for the bankruptcy proceedings.”

The DVHCC is a non-profit voluntary association comprised of multi-employer trust funds, governmental entities, labor unions, schools and school districts in over fourteen states and the District of Columbia.

Three of DVHCCs members have sued Mallinckrodt for their pricing scheme of the drug H.P. Acthar Gel. The drug cost just $40 a vial in 2001 and today costs $46,000 per vial.

H.P. Acthar Gel is a hormone used to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis. It can reduce the symptoms but it is not a cure for these conditions.

Last week, Mallinckrodt filed for bankruptcy putting a stay on the current lawsuits in an attempt to avoid liability for its pricing scheme. Henry Donner, DVHCC Counsel said, “We are asking the Bankruptcy Trustee to include a representative from our litigation on the bankruptcy committee – which will decide, among other things, how unsecured creditors are paid.”

Among the DVHCC members who have sued Mallinckrodt and are owed hundreds of millions of dollars are the Steamfitters Local 420, Operating Engineers Local 542 and Plumbers Local 322.

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