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CONTACT LENS CUSTOMERS ELIGIBLE FOR REBATES FROM POTENTIAL $60 MILLION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT
Consumers should soon see better prices for contact lenses. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff announced today that consumers who bought contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care would receive cash rebates on future lens purchases and eye exams under a proposed settlement.
The maker of Acuvue and Surevue lenses was the last defendant to settle in an antitrust lawsuit filed by Utah, 31 other states, and a private consumer class against contact lens manufacturers and the American Optometric Association.
"This action means lower prices for contact lens wearers," said Shurtleff. "This will give them access to their own prescriptions so they can buy their lenses anywhere."
The settled lawsuits allege retail prices of disposable contact lenses were too high because Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers required that lenses could only be purchased from eye care professionals or retail optical stores. The suit contends this was an illegal agreement and made it difficult for consumers to buy replacement lenses through the mail or from pharmacies. All of the defendants agreed to make the contact lenses available to all distributors.
Johnson & Johnson and the other manufacturers maintain their refusal to sell to mail order outlets and pharmacies was not part of an illegal agreement and did not cause higher retail prices.
Today, Utah and the other plaintiffs asked a federal judge to give preliminary approval to the Johnson & Johnson settlement agreement. Utah residents who bought replacement contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb, or CIBA Vision at any time since January 1, 1988, are eligible to receive rebates under the proposed settlement.
Johnson & Johnson has guaranteed to distribute $30 million in rebates, $5 million cash and pay $25 million to the settlement fund. If the judge approves the Johnson & Johnson $60 million settlement the total amount from all defendants totals $82.6 million.
The Johnson & Johnson consumer benefits package will include $50 off the purchase of four six-packs of disposable lenses, $25 off a future purchase off four six-packs and $25 off the cost of an eye examination. Four six-packs cost approximately $75 to $100. Customers who no longer wear Johnson & Johnson lenses will have a choice of $35 in cash or $50 in coupons.
Consumers can get more information on the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit, settlement and claim forms at 1-888-437-1294 or www.acuvue.com. Bausch & Lomb customers can get information at 1-888-707-5880 or www.freecontactlensrebates.com.
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