Shoppers who bought prescriptions from 2009 to 2019 have days left to claim part of a $533 million settlement fund

If you purchased a prescription drug at any point between 2009 and 2019, you may be eligible for money from a settlement fund worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The deadline to file a claim is approaching fast, with forms due by Monday, November 9.

Consumers and third-party payers for hundreds of generic medications can apply across several class action settlements, with a total of $533 million available.

A number of drug makers are named in the case, including Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, and Apotex, according to the settlement website.

The companies were accused of breaking antitrust, consumer protection, and common laws by working together to fix prices and restrict competition, allegedly forcing consumers and third-party payers to pay more for certain drugs.

The settlement covers 197 generic drugs, including tablets, creams, injectable vials, and ointments.

Among the better-known drugs listed are Albuterol, Amphetamines, Gabapentin, Levothyroxine, and Methadone HCL.

While the pharmaceutical companies deny wrongdoing, they have agreed to pay a combined $533 million to settle the claims.

Sandoz and Fougera Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $275 million, Sun and Taro will pay $200 million, and Heritage, Emcure, Apotex, and one individual defendant settled for $58 million.

The Sandoz fund and the Sun/Taro fund, totaling $475 million, are available to consumers, while the remaining settlement money is reserved for third-party payers.

Consumers who paid all or part of the cost for any of the nearly 200 listed generic drugs during the covered period can claim money from the $475 million pool.

A copay qualifies, but people whose medication purchases were covered by Medicaid are excluded from the settlement.

Consumers in every state except Indiana and Ohio can file, along with residents of Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

For each drug claimed on the form, proof of purchase must be provided, such as receipts, invoices, or account statements.

There are five payment options available: ACH direct deposit, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, and paper check.

No individual payout estimate has been announced yet. The final amount will depend on how many drugs each person bought and how many valid claims are submitted.