Identifying Possible Price Fixing in the market of Ethacrynic Acid 25 MG tablets
Executive Summary Ethacrynic Acid 25 MG tablets is the generic form of Edecrin, a loop diuretic that was originally approved by the FDA in 1967. Ethacrynic Acid is the only loop diuretic that does not contain sulfa, so there are no substitutes for patients that need a loop diuretic but are sensitive to sulfa. There are multiple generic manufacturers of Ethacrynic Acid 25 MG tablets. However, data from the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that the prices fluctuate over time but consistently move in lockstep. Given the significant fluctuation in prices, the only rational conclusion is that the generic drug makers are colluding to fix the price at an artificially high level. Background Etacrynic acid (INN) or ethacrynic acid (USAN), trade name Edecrin, is a loop diuretic used to treat high blood pressure and the swelling caused by diseases like congestive heart failure, liver failure, and kidney fail