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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company becomes involved in various legal and administrative proceedings, which include product liability, intellectual property, commercial, tax, antitrust, governmental and regulatory investigations, related private litigation and ordinary course employment-related issues. From time to time, the Company also initiates actions or files counterclaims. The Company could be subject to counterclaims or other suits in response to actions it may initiate. The Company believes that the prosecution of these actions and counterclaims is important to preserve and protect the Company, its reputation and its assets. Certain of these proceedings and actions are described in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. Except as described below, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to any such proceedings or actions during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates developments in legal proceedings, potential settlements and other matters that could increase or decrease the amount of the liability accrued. As of March 31, 2020, the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets includes accrued current loss contingencies of $1,416 million related to matters which are both probable and reasonably estimable. For all other matters, unless otherwise indicated, the Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of these legal proceedings, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from these proceedings. An adverse outcome in certain of these proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, and could cause the market value of its common shares and/or debt securities to decline.
Governmental and Regulatory Inquiries
SEC Investigation
Beginning in November 2015, the Company received from the staff of the Los Angeles Regional Office of the SEC subpoenas for documents, as well as various document, testimony and interview requests, related to its investigation of the Company, including requests concerning the Company's former relationship with Philidor Rx Services, LLC ("Philidor"), its accounting practices and policies, its public disclosures and other matters. On March 27, 2020, the staff of the SEC’s Los Angeles Regional Office issued a Wells Notice informing the Company that they had reached a preliminary determination to recommend that the SEC bring charges against the Company for violating the federal securities laws as a result of SEC filings and other statements made by Valeant and its former executives in 2014-2015 concerning Philidor, as well as other accounting and disclosure matters. The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC in this matter, has responded to the Wells Notice and continues to engage in settlement discussions with the staff. The Company has agreed to a tolling agreement with the SEC
regarding these potential claims. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome or the duration of the SEC investigation or any other legal proceedings or any enforcement actions or other remedies that may be imposed on the Company arising out of the SEC investigation, the Company expects that it will likely result in damages, settlement payments, fines, penalties, consent orders or other administrative sanctions against the Company and/or certain of its former legacy directors and officers, any of which could be material. As a result, although no agreement has been reached, the Company has recorded an estimated liability based on these discussions which is included in the Company's accrued current loss contingencies. The final resolution may differ from the Company's current estimate and it could be material to the Company’s results of operations.
As referenced above, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to certain other proceedings or actions as described under “Governmental and Regulatory Inquiries” in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. Such matters include:
AMF Investigation
On April 12, 2016, the Company received a letter from the Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) requesting documents concerning the work of the Company’s ad hoc committee of independent directors, the Company’s former relationship with Philidor, the Company's accounting practices and policies and other matters. In July 2018, the Company was advised by the AMF that it had issued a formal investigation order against it.
Investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts - re Arestin® 
In August 2019, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, requesting materials including documents concerning the sales, marketing, coverage and reimbursement of Arestin®, including related support services, and other matters.
The Company is cooperating with all these investigations. The Company cannot predict the outcome or the duration of these investigations or any other legal proceedings or any enforcement actions or other remedies that may be imposed on the Company arising out of this investigation.
Securities and RICO Class Actions and Related Matters
U.S. Securities Litigation - Opt-Out Litigation
On December 16, 2019, the Company announced that it had agreed to settle, subject to final court approval, the consolidated securities class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (In re Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 15-cv-07658).
In October 2015, four putative securities class actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain current or former officers and directors. The allegations related to, among other things, allegedly false and misleading statements and/or failures to disclose information about the Company’s business and prospects, including relating to drug pricing, the Company’s use of specialty pharmacies, and the Company’s relationship with Philidor.
On May 31, 2016, the court entered an order consolidating the four actions under the caption In re Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 15-cv-07658. On June 24, 2016, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint asserting claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the Company, and certain current or former officers and directors, as well as claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) against the Company, certain current or former officers and directors, and certain other parties. The lead plaintiff seeks to bring these claims on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased the Company’s equity securities and senior notes in the United States between January 4, 2013 and March 15, 2016, including all those who purchased the Company’s securities in the United States in the Company’s debt and stock offerings between July 2013 to March 2015. On September 13, 2016, the Company and the other defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated complaint. On April 28, 2017, the court dismissed certain claims arising out of the Company's private placement offerings and otherwise denied the motions to dismiss. On September 20, 2018, lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint, adding claims against ValueAct Capital Management L.P. and affiliated entities ("ValueAct"). On October 31, 2018, a third-party defendant, ValueAct, filed a motion to dismiss. On June 30, 2019, the Court denied the motion to dismiss.
On December 16, 2019, the Company, the current or former officers and directors, ValueAct, and the underwriters announced that they agreed to resolve the securities action for $1,210 million, subject to final court approval. Once approved by the
court, the settlement will resolve and discharge all claims against the Company in the class action. As part of the settlement, the Company and the other settling defendants admitted no liability as to the claims against it and deny all allegations of wrongdoing. On January 27, 2020 the court preliminarily approved the settlement and scheduled the final settlement approval hearing for May 27, 2020. In order to qualify for a settlement payment all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired the Company securities during the class period must have submitted a proof of claim and release form by May 6, 2020. The settlement payment is being paid in accordance with the payment schedule outlined in the settlement agreement. The opt-out litigations discussed below remain ongoing.
On June 6, 2018, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain current or former officers and directors. This action, captioned Timber Hill LLC, v. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., et al., (Case No. 18-cv-10246) (“Timber Hill”), asserts securities fraud claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased call options or sold put options on the Company’s common stock during the period January 4, 2013 through August 11, 2016. On June 11, 2018, this action was consolidated with In re Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Securities Litigation, (Case No. 15-cv-07658). On January 14, 2019, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Timber Hill complaint. Briefing on that motion was completed on February 13, 2019. On August 15, 2019, the Court denied the motion to dismiss the Timber Hill action, holding that this complaint was a legal nullity as a result of the June 11, 2018 consolidation order.
In addition to the consolidated putative class action, thirty-five groups of individual investors in the Company’s stock and debt securities have chosen to opt out of the consolidated putative class action and filed securities actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain current or former officers and directors. In addition to the matters captioned Maverick Neutral Levered Fund v. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Case No. 20-cv-02190) (“Maverick”) and Templeton v. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Case No. 20-cv-05478) (“Templeton”), these actions were captioned previously in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 19, 2020. Two of the thirty-five opt out actions have been dismissed; and while the total number of remaining opt out actions pending in the District of New Jersey is thirty-three actions, the Company has reached agreement in principle to resolve several of these actions and expects those actions to be dismissed shortly.
These individual shareholder actions assert claims under Sections 10(b), and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. Certain of these individual actions assert additional claims, including claims under Section 18 of the Exchange Act, Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, claims under the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and one plaintiff asserts claims under the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act. These claims are based on alleged purchases of Company stock, options, and/or debt at various times between January 3, 2013 and August 10, 2016. The allegations in the complaints are similar to those made by plaintiffs in the putative class action. Motions to dismiss have been filed and in most cases decided in many of these individual actions. To date, the Court has dismissed state law claims including New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, common law fraud, and negligent misrepresentation claims in certain cases. On January 7, 2019, the Court entered a stipulation of voluntary dismissal in the Senzar Healthcare Master Fund LP v. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Case No. 18-cv-02286) opt-out action, closing the case. On September 10, 2019, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss all claims in the Bahaa Aly v. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (“Aly”) (Case No. 18-cv-17393) opt-out action. On October 9, 2019, the Aly Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On December 13, 2019, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the Catalyst complaint in its entirety.
The Company disputes the claims against it in the remaining individual opt-out complaints and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Canadian Securities Litigation
In 2015, six putative class actions were filed and served against the Company and certain current or former officers and directors in Canada in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The Company is also aware of two additional putative class actions that were filed with the applicable court but which have not been served on the Company and the factual allegations made in these actions are substantially similar to those outlined above.
The actions generally allege violations of Canadian provincial securities legislation on behalf of putative classes of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired securities of the Company for periods commencing as early as January 1, 2013 and ending as late as November 16, 2015. The alleged violations relate to the same matters described in the U.S. Securities Litigation description above.
Each of these putative class actions, other than the Catucci action in the Quebec Superior Court, has been discontinued. In the Catucci action, on August 29, 2017, the judge granted the plaintiffs leave to proceed with their claims under the Quebec Securities Act and authorized the class proceeding. On October 26, 2017, the plaintiffs issued their Judicial Application Originating Class Proceedings.
In addition to the class proceedings described above, on April 12, 2018, the Company was served with an application for leave filed in the Quebec Superior Court of Justice to pursue an action under the Quebec Securities Act against the Company and certain current or former officers and directors. This proceeding is captioned BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited et al. v. Valeant, et al. (Court File No. 500-11-054155-185). The allegations in the proceeding are similar to those made by plaintiffs in the Catucci class action. On June 18, 2018, the same BlackRock entities filed an originating application (Court File No. 500-17-103749-183) against the same defendants asserting claims under the Quebec Civil Code in respect of the same alleged misrepresentations.
The Company is aware that certain other members of the Catucci class exercised their opt-out rights prior to the June 19, 2018 deadline. On February 15, 2019, one of the entities which exercised its opt-out rights (“CalSTRS”) served the Company with an application in the Quebec Superior Court of Justice for leave to pursue an action under the Quebec Securities Act against the Company, certain current or former officers and directors of the Company and its auditor. That proceeding is captioned California State Teachers’ Retirement System v. Bausch Health Companies Inc. et al. (Court File No. 500-11-055722-181). The allegations in the proceeding are similar to those made by the plaintiffs in the Catucci class action and in the BlackRock opt-out proceedings. On that same date, CalSTRS also served the Company with proceedings (Court File No. 500-17-106044-186) against the same defendants asserting claims under the Quebec Civil Code in respect of the same alleged misrepresentations.
On February 3, 2020, the Quebec Superior Court granted the applications of CalSTRS and BlackRock for leave to pursue their respective actions asserting claims under the Quebec Securities Act. On March 11, 2020, the Company and the other defendants filed applications for leave to appeal from the decision of the Quebec Superior Court. The applications for leave to appeal are scheduled to be heard on June 9, 2020.
After a hearing on November 11, 2019, the court approved a settlement in the Catucci action between the class members and the Company’s auditors.
The Company believes that it has viable defenses in each of these actions. In each case, the Company intends to defend itself vigorously.
Insurance Coverage Lawsuit
On December 7, 2017, the Company filed a lawsuit against its insurance companies that issued insurance policies covering claims made against the Company, its subsidiaries, and its directors and officers during two distinct policy periods, (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2015-16.  The lawsuit is currently pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., et al. v. AIG Insurance Company of Canada, et al.; 3:18-CV-00493).  In the lawsuit, the Company seeks coverage for: (i) the costs of defending and resolving claims brought by former shareholders and debtholders of Allergan, Inc. in In re Allergan, Inc. Proxy Violation Securities Litigation and Timber Hill LLC, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., et al. (under the 2013-2014 coverage period), and (ii) costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the securities class actions and opt-out cases described in this section and certain of the investigations described above (under the 2015-2016 coverage period).
Derivative Lawsuits
On September 10, 2019 and September 13, 2019, two alleged stockholders filed derivative lawsuits purportedly on behalf of the Company against former Company board members and executives. On March 7, 2020, a consolidated amended derivative complaint was filed, captioned In re Bausch Health Companies Inc. F/K/A/ Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Stockholder Derivative Litigation (Case No. 19-cv-17833).
Plaintiffs assert claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment related to, among other things, allegedly false and misleading statements and/or failures to disclose information about the Company’s business and prospects, including relating to drug pricing, the Company’s use of specialty pharmacies, and the Company’s relationship with Philidor. The consolidated complaint also asserts a claim for contribution and indemnification by the Defendants for any liability the Company ultimately faces as a result of the conduct alleged in the complaint. The claims alleged in these cases are based on the same purported conduct that is at issue in In re Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Securities
Litigation, all of which occurred prior to 2017. On April 21, 2020, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. Briefing on this motion will conclude on July 6, 2020. The Company disputes these claims and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Other Securities and RICO Class Actions and Related Matters
As referenced above during the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to certain other proceedings or actions as described under “Securities and RICO Class Actions and Related Matters” in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. Such matters include:
RICO Class Actions
Between May 27, 2016 and September 16, 2016, three actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and various third-parties (these actions were subsequently consolidated), alleging claims under the federal Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) on behalf of a putative class of certain third-party payors that paid claims submitted by Philidor for certain Company-branded drugs between January 2, 2013 and November 9, 2015.  The consolidated complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants committed predicate acts of mail and wire fraud by submitting or causing to be submitted prescription reimbursement requests that misstated or omitted facts regarding: (1) the identity and licensing status of the dispensing pharmacy; (2) the resubmission of previously denied claims; (3) patient co-pay waivers; (4) the availability of generic alternatives; and (5) the insured’s consent to renew the prescription.  The complaint further alleges that these acts constitute a pattern of racketeering or a racketeering conspiracy in violation of the RICO statute and caused plaintiffs and the putative class unspecified damages, which may be trebled under the RICO statute. A decision on the Company’s motion to dismiss this complaint is pending. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Hound Partners Lawsuit
In October 2018, Hound Partners Offshore Fund, LP, Hound Partners Long Master, LP, and Hound Partners Concentrated Master, LP, filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division/Mercer County that asserts claims for common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and violations of the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. This matter is currently stayed pending the completion of discovery in one of the above-noted federal opt-out cases. The Company disputes the claims and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
Antitrust
Glumetza Antitrust Litigation
Between August 2019 and February 2020, seven (7) putative antitrust class actions and three (3) non-class complaints were filed in the Northern District of California against the Company, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Santarus, Inc. (among other defendants) (the “California Actions”). In February 2020, an eighth putative class action was filed in the Southern District of Florida; this action was transferred to the Northern District of California. Three (3) of the class actions were filed by plaintiffs seeking to represent a class of direct purchasers. The purported classes of direct purchasers filed a consolidated amended complaint on November 25, 2019. The five (5) class actions filed by end payer purchasers have all been voluntarily dismissed. The three (3) non-class complaints were filed by direct purchasers. These actions have been consolidated and coordinated in In re Glumetza Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:19-cv-05822-WHA.
Both class and non-class direct purchaser plaintiffs seek damages under federal antitrust laws. The lawsuits allege that a 2012 settlement of a patent litigation regarding Glumetza® delayed generic entry in exchange for an agreement not to launch an authorized generic of Glumetza® or grant any other company a license to do so. The complaints allege that the settlement agreement resulted in higher prices for Glumetza® and its generic equivalent both prior to and after generic entry. On April 29, 2020, the purported classes of direct purchasers filed their motion for class certification.  Briefing on the motion is expected to conclude in June 2020. The Company and its affiliates named in these cases dispute the claims against them and intend to vigorously defend these matters.
Other Antitrust Matters
As referenced above during the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to certain other proceedings or actions as described under “Antitrust” in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019), filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. This includes the following matter:
Generic Pricing Antitrust Litigation
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a multidistrict antitrust litigation (“MDL”) entitled In re: Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation, pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The lawsuits (which include claims by direct purchasers, end payers, indirect resellers and opt-outs) seek damages under federal and state antitrust laws, state consumer protection and unjust enrichment laws and allege that the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a conspiracy to fix, stabilize, and raise prices, rig bids and engage in market and customer allocation for generic pharmaceuticals. The Company disputes the claims against it and continues to defend itself vigorously.
Intellectual Property
Patent Litigation/Paragraph IV Matters
From time to time, the Company (and/or certain of its affiliates) is also party to certain patent infringement proceedings in the United States and Canada, including as arising from claims filed by the Company (or that the Company anticipates filing within the required time periods) in connection with Notices of Paragraph IV Certification (in the United States) and Notices of Allegation (in Canada) received from third-party generic manufacturers respecting their pending applications for generic versions of certain products sold by or on behalf of the Company, including Relistor®, Uceris®, Xifaxan® 200mg, Xifaxan® 550mg, Plenvu®, Bepreve®, Bryhali® and Jublia® in the United States and Jublia® in Canada, or other similar suits.
On February 17, 2020, the Company and Alfasigma S.p.A. ("Alfasigma") received a Notice of Paragraph IV Certification from Norwich Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Norwich”), in which Norwich asserted that the U.S. patents listed in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (the "FDA") Orange Book for the Company’s Xifaxan® tablets, 550 mg, are either invalid, unenforceable and/or will not be infringed by the commercial manufacture, use or sale of Norwich’s generic rifaximin tablets, 550 mg, for which an Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) has been filed by Norwich. The Company, through its subsidiaries Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bausch Health Ireland Limited, holds the New Drug Application for Xifaxan® and owns or exclusively licenses (from Alfasigma) these patents. On March 26, 2020, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and Alfasigma filed suit against Norwich in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 20-cv-00430) pursuant to the Hatch-Waxman Act, alleging infringement by Norwich of one or more claims of the Xifaxan® Patents, thereby triggering a 30-month stay of the approval of Norwich’s ANDA for rifaximin tablets, 550 mg. Xifaxan® is protected by 23 patents covering the composition of matter and the use of Xifaxan® listed in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, or the Orange Book. The Company remains confident in the strength of the Xifaxan® patents and will continue to vigorously pursue this matter and defend its intellectual property.
A similar suit was also filed against Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”) in September 2019, alleging infringement by Sandoz of one or more claims of certain of these Xifaxan® Patents by the commercial manufacture, use or sale of Sandoz’s generic rifaximin tablets, 550 mg, for which an ANDA had been filed. On May 6, 2020, the Company announced that an agreement had been reached with Sandoz that resolved this litigation. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties agreed to dismiss all litigation related to Xifaxan® (rifaximin), Sandoz acknowledged the validity of the licensed patents for Xifaxan® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets and all intellectual property protecting Xifaxan® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets will remain intact and enforceable until expiry in October 2029. The agreement also grants Sandoz a non-exclusive license to the intellectual property relating to Xifaxan® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets in the United States beginning January 1, 2028 (or earlier under certain circumstances). Under the terms of the agreement, beginning January 1, 2028 (or earlier under certain circumstances), Sandoz will have the right to market a royalty-free generic version of Xifaxan® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets, should it receive approval from the FDA on its ANDA. Sandoz will be able to commence such marketing earlier if another generic rifaximin product is granted approval and such other generic rifaximin product begins to be sold or distributed in the United States before January 1, 2028. The Company will not make any financial payments or other transfers of value as part of this agreement with Sandoz.
In addition, patents covering the Company's branded pharmaceutical products may be challenged in proceedings other than court proceedings, including inter partes review ("IPR") at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The proceedings operate under different standards from district court proceedings, and are often completed within 18 months of institution.  IPR
challenges have been brought against patents covering the Company's branded pharmaceutical products.  For example, following Acrux DDS’s IPR petition, the U.S. Patent and Trial Appeal Board, in May 2017, instituted inter partes review for an Orange Book-listed patent covering Jublia® and, on June 6, 2018, issued a written determination invalidating such patent. An appeal of this decision was filed on August 7, 2018. On March 13, 2020, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed this decision and remanded the matter back to the PTAB for further proceedings. Jublia® continues to be covered by eleven other Orange Book-listed patents owned by the Company and its licensor, which expire in the years 2028 through 2035.
Product Liability
As referenced above, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to certain proceedings or actions as described under “Product Liability” in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. These matters include:
Shower to Shower® Products Liability Litigation
Since 2016, the Company has been named in a number of product liability lawsuits involving the Shower to Shower® body powder product acquired in September 2012 from Johnson & Johnson; due to dismissals, only twelve (12) of such product liability suits currently remain pending. Potential liability (including its attorneys’ fees and costs) arising out of these remaining suits is subject to full indemnification obligations of Johnson & Johnson owed to the Company, and legal fees and costs will be paid by Johnson & Johnson. Ten of these lawsuits filed by individual plaintiffs allege that the use of Shower to Shower® caused the plaintiffs to develop ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. The allegations in these cases include failure to warn, design defect, manufacturing defect, negligence, gross negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, civil conspiracy concert in action, negligent misrepresentation, wrongful death, loss of consortium and/or punitive damages. The damages sought include compensatory damages, including medical expenses, lost wages or earning capacity, loss of consortium and/or compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish anxiety and discomfort, physical impairment and loss of enjoyment of life. Plaintiffs also seek pre- and post-judgment interest, exemplary and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. Additionally, two proposed class actions have been filed in Canada against the Company and various Johnson & Johnson entities (one in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and one in the Superior Court of Quebec), on behalf of persons who have purchased or used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower®. The class actions allege the use of the product increases certain health risks (British Columbia) or negligence in failing to properly test, failing to warn of health risks, and failing to remove the products from the market in a timely manner (Quebec). The plaintiffs in these actions are seeking awards of general, special, compensatory and punitive damages. In accordance with the indemnification agreement, Johnson & Johnson will continue to vigorously defend the Company in each of the remaining actions that are not voluntarily dismissed or subject to a grant of summary judgment.
General Civil Actions
California Proposition 65 Related Matters
On January 29, 2020, Plaintiff Jan Graham filed a lawsuit (Graham v. Bausch Health Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. 20STCV03578) in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the Company, Bausch Health US and several other manufacturers, distributors and retailers of talcum powder products, alleging violations of California Proposition 65 by manufacturing and distributing talcum powder products containing chemicals listed under the statue, without a compliant warning on the label. The Company and Bausch Health US dispute the claims against them and intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously.
On June 19, 2019, plaintiffs filed a proposed class action in California state court against Bausch Health US and Johnson & Johnson (Gutierrez, et al. v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., Case No. 37-2019-00025810-CU-NP-CTL), asserting claims for purported violations of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law in connection with their sale of talcum powder products that the plaintiffs allege violated Proposition 65 and/or the California Safe Cosmetics Act. This lawsuit was served on Bausch Health US on June 28, 2019 and was subsequently removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, where it is currently pending. Plaintiffs seek damages, disgorgement of profits, injunctive relief, and reimbursement/restitution. The Company filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claims, which was granted on April 27, 2020 without prejudice.
The Company and Bausch Health US dispute the claims against them and intend to defend each of these lawsuits vigorously.
New Mexico Attorney General Consumer Protection Action
The Company and Bausch Health US were named in an action brought by State of New Mexico ex rel. Hector H. Balderas, Attorney General of New Mexico, in the County of Santa Fe New Mexico First Judicial District Court (New Mexico ex rel. Balderas v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., Civil Action No. D-101-CV-2020-00013, filed on January 2, 2020), alleging consumer protection claims against Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., the Company and Bausch Health US related to Shower to Shower® and its alleged causal link to mesothelioma and other cancers. The State of New Mexico brings claims against all defendants under the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act, the New Mexico Medicaid Fraud Act, the New Mexico Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, and other common law and equitable causes of action, alleging defendants engaged in wrongful marketing, sale and promotion of talcum powder products. The lawsuit seeks to recover the cost of the talcum powder products as well as the cost of treating asbestos-related cancers allegedly caused by those products. The Company disputes the claims asserted in this lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend the matter. On April 17, 2020, Bausch Health US filed a motion to dismiss.
Other General Civil Actions
As referenced above, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material updates or developments with respect to certain proceedings or actions as described under “General Civil Actions” in Note 21, “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS,” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019), filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020. These matters include:
Doctors Allergy Formula Lawsuit
In April 2018, Doctors Allergy Formula, LLC (“Doctors Allergy”), filed a lawsuit against Bausch Health Americas in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, asserting breach of contract and related claims under a 2015 Asset Purchase Agreement, which purports to include milestone payments that Doctors Allergy alleges should have been paid by Bausch Health Americas.  Doctors Allergy claims its damages are not less than $23 million. The Company has asserted counterclaims against Doctors Allergy. 
Litigation with Former Salix CEO
On January 28, 2019, former Salix Ltd. CEO and director Carolyn Logan filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, asserting claims for breach of contract and declaratory relief. The lawsuit arises out of the contractual termination of approximately $30 million in unvested equity awards following the determination by the Salix Ltd. Board of Directors that Logan intentionally engaged in wrongdoing that resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in material harm to Salix Ltd., or to the business or reputation of Salix Ltd. Logan seeks the restoration of the unvested equity awards and a declaration regarding certain rights related to indemnification.
The Company disputes the claims against it in each of these matters and intends to vigorously defend the matters.
Completed or Dormant Matters
The following matters have concluded, have settled, are the subject of an agreement to settle or have otherwise been closed since January 1, 2020 or the Company anticipates that no further material activity will take place with respect thereto, or the matters have been dormant for several quarters. Due to the closure, settlement, inactivity or change in status of the matters referenced below, these matters will no longer appear in the Company's next public reports and disclosures, unless required. With respect to inactive matters, to the extent material activity takes place in subsequent quarters with respect thereto, the Company will provide updates as required or as deemed appropriate.
California Proposition 65 Related Matters
On February 11, 2019, plaintiffs filed a pre-suit notice letter with the California Attorney General notifying the Attorney General’s office of their intent to file suit after 60 days against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, alleging they committed violations of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) by manufacturing and distributing Shower to Shower® that they allege contained talc contaminated with asbestos, a listed carcinogen. That notice letter was served on the Company on February 22, 2019. By statute, a private lawsuit may not be filed until at least 60 days have passed following service of this pre-suit notice letter. In April 2019, rather than filing a lawsuit against Bausch Health US, the plaintiffs moved for leave to amend their complaint in a pending Proposition 65 lawsuit (Luna, et al. v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., case 2:18-cv-04830-GW-KS) against Johnson & Johnson in federal court in California to
add Bausch Health US as a defendant. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice. The court dismissed the case without prejudice on December 18, 2019.
Contact Lens Antitrust Class Actions
Beginning in March 2015, a number of civil antitrust class action suits were filed by purchasers of contact lenses against B&L Inc., three other contact lens manufacturers, and a contact lens distributor, alleging that the defendants engaged in an anticompetitive scheme to eliminate price competition on certain contact lens lines through the use of unilateral pricing policies, and alleging violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1, and of various state antitrust and consumer protection laws. These cases have been consolidated in the Middle District of Florida by the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation, under the caption In re Disposable Contact Lens Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:15-md-02626-HES-JRK. On August 19, 2019, B&L Inc. entered into a settlement, subject to court approval, by which it agreed to pay $10 million to fully and finally resolve plaintiffs’ class claims against B&L Inc. in the case. On October 8, 2019, the settlement agreement was preliminarily approved by the court. A final fairness hearing regarding the settlement was held on February 25, 2020. On March 4, 2020, the Court granted final approval of the settlement agreement in all respects and dismissed the case with prejudice as to B&L Inc., except as to any claim by persons who validly and timely requested exclusion from the settlement classes.
Mississippi Attorney General Consumer Protection Action
The Company and Bausch Health US were named in an action brought by James Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi, in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi (Hood ex rel. State of Mississippi, Civil Action No. G2014-1207013, filed on August 22, 2014), alleging consumer protection claims against Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., the Company and Bausch Health US related to the Shower to Shower® body powder product and its alleged causal link to ovarian cancer. As indicated above, the Company acquired the Shower to Shower® body powder product in September 2012 from Johnson & Johnson. The State sought compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief requiring warnings for talc-containing products, removal from the market of products that fail to warn, and to prevent the continued violation of the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act (“MCPA”). The State also sought disgorgement of profits from the sale of the product and civil penalties. The State did not make specific allegations as to the Company or Bausch Health US. The Company and Bausch Health US agreed to resolve this litigation pursuant to a settlement agreement with the State of Mississippi for a non-material amount. On January 8, 2020, an order of dismissal with prejudice was entered by the Court.
Investigation by the State of Texas
On May 27, 2014, the State of Texas served Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (“B&L Inc.”) with a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) concerning various price reporting matters relating to the State's Medicaid program and the amounts the State paid in reimbursement for B&L products for the period from 1995 to the date of the CID.  B&L Inc. has cooperated fully with the State's investigation and produced all the documents requested by the State to date.  After an exchange of positions, B&L Inc. and the State agreed to settle the matter for $10 million. The Company made the payment on April 1, 2020. As part of the settlement, the underlying Texas Medicaid Fraud case will be dismissed.
Investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts regarding patient assistance and pricing
In October 2015 and June 2016, the Company received two subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, requesting materials including documents and witness interviews with respect to the Company’s patient assistance programs and contributions to patient assistance organizations that provide financial assistance to Medicare patients taking products sold by the Company, and the Company’s pricing of its products. The Company is cooperating with this investigation. There has been no material activity for several quarters on the part of the Company with respect to this matter nor has the Company had recent contact from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts with respect to this matter. The Company cannot predict the outcome or the duration of this investigation or any other legal proceedings or any enforcement actions or other remedies that may be imposed on the Company arising out of this investigation.
Investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
In October 2015, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, requesting materials including documents and witness interviews with respect to the Company’s patient assistance programs; its former relationship with Philidor and other pharmacies; the Company’s accounting treatment for sales by specialty pharmacies; information provided to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; the Company’s pricing (including discounts and rebates), marketing and distribution of its products; the Company’s compliance program; and employee
compensation. The Company is cooperating with this investigation. There has been no material activity for several quarters on the part of the Company with respect to this matter. The Company cannot predict the outcome or the duration of this investigation or any other legal proceedings or any enforcement actions or other remedies that may be imposed on the Company arising out of this investigation.