Hawaiʻi's Governor, Josh Green, alongside Attorney General Anne Lopez, has just hit paydirt for the state, ringing in a $700 million settlement with pharmaceutical titans Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Company and Sanofi's three U.S. subsidiaries. In what's being hailed as a watershed moment for the state's crusade against corporate malfeasance, monies are designated to pour into the state's coffers by June 9, per the terms laid out by both parties. "This landmark settlement is a major victory for the state of Hawaiʻi. Once the money goes into our general fund, we can go to work on immediately identifying ways to enhance health care services for Hawaiʻi’s residents," Governor Green was quoted saying in an official Office of the Governor website, reflecting on the triumph and its implications for the future of healthcare in the Aloha State.
Attorney General Lopez, who played a pivotal role in navigating the 12-year legal labyrinth, ushered the case to its denouement. In a resolve that seemed almost palpable, she stated, "This settlement agreement brings closure to nearly 12 years of litigation," underscoring the tenacity of Hawaiʻi's legal front against even the most Goliath of adversaries. The settlement is not just about the immediate financial injection; it's a manifestation of Hawai'i's unwavering commitment to holding corporations accountable. Lopez's declaration leaves no ambiguity about the state's position: "It doesn’t matter if a company is a one-person shop or a multi-billion-dollar company, we will relentlessly enforce Hawaiʻi’s consumer protection laws," as per the Office of the Governor press release.
Instrumental to this legal victory was Special Attorney General Rick Fried of the Honolulu-based law firm Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina, and Fairbanks. After a grueling 13-year stint, Rick's reflections were steeped in gratification: "I started working on this case when I presented it to then-AG David Louie in 2012. It took 13 years to finalize, but I’m very pleased about what this settlement will do for the people of Hawaiʻi," according to the Office of the Governor. Indeed, acknowledging the immensity of what has been achieved, a discernible sense of gratitude towards the current Governor and AG was apparent in Rick's words.
For those interested in the legal details, the full settlement agreements with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi are available through links from the Governor’s office. These documents explain how the state plans to use the funds to support healthcare and protect consumer rights.
