DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Mylan Inc. (MYL) filed a civil lawsuit against the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette and several reporters following reports in the paper
that questioned quality control at one of its plants.
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration closed its
investigation into Mylan's Morgantown, W.Va., plant, finding no
deficiencies.
The potential issues came to light last month in a Post-Gazette
report, which alleged that plant workers were overriding
computer-generated warnings. Confusing statements from both the
company and regulators created volatility in the generic drug
maker's stock price.
An FDA spokeswoman said last week the agency didn't plan
additional action, and Mylan appeared to conduct an "adequate
investigation" of the matter, with no evidence that there was any
adverse impact to affected product lots.
Last month, the Post-Gazette reported that Mylan had launched an
internal probe to investigate whether workers at the plant had been
routinely overriding computer-generated warnings about the drugs
being produced at the plant. The newspaper cited an internal report
and had other experts review the report and call it a significant
problem.
Mylan said in announcing its lawsuit that the articles
"mischaracterized a minor deviation from an internal Mylan
procedure, creating the false appearance of significant quality and
regulatory issues...when no such issues existed."
The lawsuit seeks the return of internal confidential documents
Mylan said the Post-Gazette obtained improperly and without the
company's knowledge. The company also seeks damages from the
defendants, who also include reporters Len Boselovic and Patricia
Sabatini.
The Post-Gazette was unable to be reached for comment.
Mylan's shares closed Tuesday at $13.99 and were unchanged in
premarket trading.
-By Kerry Grace Benn, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2353;
kerry.benn@dowjones.com