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Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 27, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies CONTINGENCIES

In view of the inherent difficulties of predicting the outcome of various types of legal proceedings, we cannot determine the ultimate resolution of the matters described below. We establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when losses associated with the claims become probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal matters may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved for those matters. For matters where the likelihood or extent of a loss is not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of June 27, 2020, we have not recorded a loss reserve. If certain of these matters are determined against us, there could be a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. We currently believe we have valid defenses to the claims in these lawsuits and intend to defend these lawsuits vigorously regardless of whether or not we have a loss reserve. Other than what is disclosed below, we do not expect the outcome of the litigation matters to which we are currently subject to, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Price-Fixing Lawsuits

Perrigo is a defendant in several cases in the generic pricing multidistrict litigation MDL No. 2724 (United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania). This multidistrict litigation, which has many cases that do not include Perrigo, includes class action and opt-out cases for federal and state antitrust claims, as well as complaints filed by various of the States alleging violations of state antitrust laws.

On July 14, 2020, the court issued an order designating the following cases to proceed on a more expedited basis than the other cases in MDL No. 2724: (a) the States’ May 2019 case alleging an overarching conspiracy involving more than 120 products (which does not name Perrigo a defendant) and (b) class actions alleging “single drug” conspiracies involving Clomipramine, Pravastatin, and Clobetasol. Perrigo is a defendant in the Clobetasol cases but not the others.

Class Action Complaints

(a) Single Drug Conspiracy Class Actions

We have been named as a co-defendant with certain other generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in a number of class actions alleging single-product conspiracies to fix or raise the prices of certain drugs and/or allocate customers for those products starting, in some instances, as early as June 2013. The class actions were filed on behalf of putative classes of (a) direct purchasers, (b) end payors, and (c) indirect resellers. The products in question are Clobetasol gel, Desonide, and Econazole. The court denied motions to dismiss each of the complaints alleging “single drug” conspiracies involving Perrigo, and the cases are proceeding in discovery. As noted above, the Clobetasol cases have been designated to proceed on a more expedited schedule than the other cases. That schedule has not yet been set.

(b) “Overarching Conspiracy” Class Actions

The same three putative classes, including (a) direct purchasers, (b) end payors, and (c) indirect resellers, have filed two sets of class action complaints alleging that Perrigo and other manufacturers (and some individuals) entered into an “overarching conspiracy” that involved allocating customers, rigging bids and raising, maintaining, and fixing prices for various products. Each class brings claims for violations of Sections 1 and 3 of the Sherman Antitrust Act as well as several state antitrust and consumer protection statutes.

Filed in June 2018, and later amended in December 2018 (with respect to direct purchasers) and April 2019 (with respect to end payors and indirect resellers), the first set of “overarching conspiracy” class actions include allegations against Perrigo and approximately 27 other manufacturers involving 135 drugs with allegations dating back to March 2011. The allegations against Perrigo concern only two formulations (cream and ointment) of one of the products at issue, Nystatin. The court denied motions to dismiss the first set of “overarching conspiracy” class actions, and they are proceeding in discovery. None of these cases are included in the group of cases on a more expedited schedule pursuant to the court’s July 14, 2020 order.

In December 2019, both the end payor and indirect reseller class plaintiffs filed a second set of "overarching conspiracy” class actions against Perrigo, dozens of other manufacturers of generic prescription pharmaceuticals, and certain individuals dating back to July 2009 (end payors) or January 2010 (indirect resellers). The Direct Purchaser plaintiffs filed their second round overarching conspiracy complaint in February 2020 with claims dating back to July 2009. This second set of overarching complaints allege conspiracies relating to the sale of various products that are not at issue in the earlier-filed overarching conspiracy class actions, the majority of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The indirect reseller complaint alleges that Perrigo conspired in connection with its sales of Imiquimod cream, Desonide cream and ointment, and Hydrocortisone Valerate cream. The end payor and direct purchaser complaints allege that Perrigo conspired in connection with its sale of the following drugs: Betamethasone Dipropionate, Bromocriptine Mesylate, Ciclopirox, Clindamycin Phosphate, Fenofibrate, Halobetasol Proprionate, Hydrocortisone Valerate, Permethrin, and Triamcinolone Acetonide. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaints, and responses are currently stayed.

On March 11, 2020, the indirect reseller plaintiffs filed a motion to amend their second round December 2019 complaint. The proposed amended complaint adds additional products and allegations to the original complaint. Perrigo is discussed in connection with allegations concerning one additional drug, Betamethasone Dipropionate lotion. Responses to this complaint are currently stayed pending court order.

Opt-Out Complaints

On January 22, 2018, Perrigo was named a co-defendant along with 35 other manufacturers in a complaint filed by three supermarket chains alleging that defendants conspired to fix prices of 31 generic prescription
pharmaceutical products starting in 2013. On December 21, 2018, an amended complaint was filed that adds additional products and allegations against a total of 39 manufacturers for 33 products. The only allegations specific to Perrigo relate to Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, Nystatin cream, and Nystatin ointment. Perrigo moved to dismiss this complaint on February 21, 2019. The motion was denied on August 15, 2019. The case is proceeding in discovery. On February 3, 2020, the plaintiffs requested leave to file a second amended complaint. The proposed amended complaint adds dozens of additional products and allegations to the original complaint. Perrigo is discussed in connection with allegations concerning an additional drug, Fenofibrate. Defendants opposed the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint and the court has yet to rule on the issue.

On August 3, 2018, a large managed care organization filed a complaint against Perrigo alleging price-fixing and customer allocation concerning 17 different products among 27 manufacturers including Perrigo. The only allegations specific to Perrigo concern Clobetasol. Perrigo moved to dismiss this complaint on February 21, 2019. Plaintiff filed a second amended complaint in April 2019 that adds additional products and allegations. The amended allegations that concern Perrigo include: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin. The motion to dismiss was denied on August 15, 2019. The case is proceeding in discovery.

On January 16, 2019, a similar suit was brought by a health insurance carrier in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota alleging a conspiracy to fix prices of 30 products among 30 defendants. The only allegations specific to Perrigo concern Clobetasol gel, Desonide, Econazole, Nystatin cream, and Nystatin ointment. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

On July 18, 2019, 87 health plans filed a Praecipe to Issue Writ of Summons in Pennsylvania state court to commence an action against 53 generic pharmaceutical manufacturers and 17 individuals, alleging antitrust violations concerning generic pharmaceutical drugs. While Perrigo was named as a defendant, no complaint has been filed and the precise allegations and products at issue have not been identified. Proceedings in the case, including the filing of a complaint, have been stayed at the request of the plaintiffs.

On December 11, 2019, a health care service company filed a complaint against Perrigo and 38 other pharmaceutical companies alleging an overarching conspiracy to fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other multi-district litigation ("MDL") complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin cream/ointment. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

On December 16, 2019, a Medicare Advantage claims recovery company filed a complaint against Perrigo and 39 other pharmaceutical companies alleging an overarching conspiracy to fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other MDL complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, and Econazole. The complaint was originally filed in the District of Connecticut but will be consolidated into the MDL. Perrigo has not yet had the opportunity to respond to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

On December 23, 2019, several counties in New York filed an amended complaint against Perrigo and 28 other pharmaceutical companies alleging an overarching conspiracy to fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other MDL complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin. The complaint was originally filed in New York State court but was removed to federal court and will likely be consolidated into the MDL. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

On December 27, 2019, a healthcare management organization filed a complaint against Perrigo and 25 other pharmaceutical companies alleging an overarching conspiracy to fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other MDL complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin. The complaint was filed originally in the Northern District of California but will be consolidated into the MDL. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

On March 1, 2020, Harris County of Texas filed a complaint against Perrigo New York, Inc. and 29 other pharmaceutical companies alleging an overarching conspiracy to fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The products at issue that plaintiffs claim Perrigo manufacturers or sells include: Adapalene, Betamethasone Dipropionate, Ciclopirox, Clindamycin, Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, Ethinyl Estradiol/Levonorgestrel, Fenofibrate, Fluocinolone, Fluocinonide, Gentamicin, Glimepiride, Griseofulvin, Halobetasol Propionate, Hydrocortisone Valerate, Ketoconazole, Mupirocin, Nystatin, Olopatadine, Permethrin, Prednisone, Promethazine, Scopolamine, and Triamcinolone Acetonide. The complaint was originally filed in the Southern District of Texas but has been transferred to the MDL. Harris County amended its complaint in May 2020. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

In May 2020, seven health plans filed a writ of summons in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia concerning an as-yet unfiled complaint against Perrigo, three dozen other manufacturers, and seventeen individuals, concerning alleged antitrust violations in connection with the pricing and sale of generic prescription pharmaceutical products. No complaint has yet been filed, so the precise allegations and products at issue are not yet clear. In addition, Defendants are in the process of being served, and proceedings in the case will likely be stayed.

On June 9, 2020, a health insurance carrier filed a complaint against Perrigo New York, Inc. and 25 other manufacturers alleging an overarching conspiracy to allocate customers and/or fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other MDL complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin. The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and will be transferred into the MDL. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

State Attorney General Complaint

On June 10, 2020, the Connecticut Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit on behalf of Connecticut and 50 other states and territories against Perrigo, and 35 other generic pharmaceutical manufacturers, and certain individuals (including one former and one current Perrigo employee), alleging an overarching conspiracy to allocate customers and/or fix, raise or stabilize prices of eighty products. The allegations against Perrigo focus on the following drugs: Adapalene Cream, Ammonium Lactate cream and lotion, Betamethasone dipropionate lotion, Bromocriptine tablets, Calcipotriene Betamethasone Dipropionate (Cal Beta Dip) Ointment, Ciclopirox cream and solution, Clindamycin solution, Desonide cream and ointment, Econazole cream, Erythromycin Base Alcohol solution, Fluticasone cream and lotion, Halobetasol cream and ointment, Hydrocortisone Acetate suppositories, Hydrocortisone Valerate cream, Imiquimod cream, Methazolamide tablets, Nystatin ointment, Prochlorperazine suppositories, Promethazine HCL suppositories, Tacrolimus ointment, and Triamcinolone cream and ointment. The Complaint was filed in the District of Connecticut, but is being transferred into the MDL. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint, and responses are currently stayed.

Canadian Class Action Complaint

In June 2020, an end payor filed a class action in Ontario, Canada against Perrigo and 29 other manufacturers alleging an overarching conspiracy to allocate customers and/or fix, raise or stabilize prices of dozens of products, most of which Perrigo neither makes nor sells. The product conspiracies allegedly involving Perrigo focus on the same products as those involved in other MDL complaints naming Perrigo: Clobetasol, Desonide, Econazole, and Nystatin. Perrigo has not yet responded to the complaint.

At this stage, we cannot reasonably estimate the outcome of the liability if any, associated with the claims listed above.

Securities Litigation
 
In the United States (cases related to events in 2015-2017)

On May 18, 2016, a shareholder filed a securities case against us and our former CEO, Joseph Papa, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Roofers’ Pension Fund v. Papa, et al.). The plaintiff purported to represent a class of shareholders for the period from April 21, 2015 through May 11, 2016, inclusive. The original
complaint alleged violations of Securities Exchange Act sections 10(b) (and Rule 10b‑5) and 14(e) against both defendants and 20(a) control person liability against Mr. Papa. In general, the allegations concerned the actions taken by us and the former executive to defend against the unsolicited takeover bid by Mylan in the period from April 21, 2015 through November 13, 2015. The plaintiff also alleged that the defendants provided inadequate disclosure concerning alleged integration problems related to the Omega acquisition in the period from April 21, 2015 through May 11, 2016. On July 19, 2016, a different shareholder filed a securities class action against us and our former CEO, Joseph Papa, also in the District of New Jersey (Wilson v. Papa, et al.). The plaintiff purported to represent a class of persons who sold put options on our shares between April 21, 2015 and May 11, 2016. In general, the allegations and the claims were the same as those made in the original complaint filed in the Roofers' Pension Fund case described above. On December 8, 2016, the court consolidated the Roofers' Pension Fund case and the Wilson case under the Roofers' Pension Fund case number. In February 2017, the court selected the lead plaintiffs for the consolidated case and the lead counsel to the putative class. In March 2017, the court entered a scheduling order.

On June 21, 2017, the court-appointed lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that superseded the original complaints in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case and the Wilson case. In the amended complaint, the lead plaintiffs seek to represent three classes of shareholders: (i) shareholders who purchased shares during the period from April 21, 2015 through May 3, 2017 on the U.S. exchanges; (ii) shareholders who purchased shares during the same period on the Tel Aviv exchange; and (iii) shareholders who owned shares on November 12, 2015 and held such stock through at least 8:00 a.m. on November 13, 2015 (the final day of the Mylan tender offer) regardless of whether the shareholders tendered their shares. The amended complaint names as defendants us and 11 current or former directors and officers of Perrigo (Mses. Judy Brown, Laurie Brlas, Jacqualyn Fouse, Ellen Hoffing, and Messrs. Joe Papa, Marc Coucke, Gary Cohen, Michael Jandernoa, Gerald Kunkle, Herman Morris, and Donal O’Connor). The amended complaint alleges violations of Securities Exchange Act sections 10(b) (and Rule 10b5) and 14(e) against all defendants and 20(a) control person liability against the 11 individuals. In general, the allegations concern the actions taken by us and the former executives to defend against the unsolicited takeover bid by Mylan in the period from April 21, 2015 through November 13, 2015 and the allegedly inadequate disclosure throughout the entire class period related to purported integration problems related to the Omega acquisition, alleges incorrect reporting of organic growth at the Company and at Omega, alleges price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals, and alleges improper accounting for the Tysabri® royalty stream. The amended complaint does not include an estimate of damages. During 2017, the defendants filed motions to dismiss, which the plaintiffs opposed. On July 27, 2018, the court issued an opinion and order granting the defendants’ motions to dismiss in part and denying the motions to dismiss in part. The court dismissed without prejudice defendants Laurie Brlas, Jacqualyn Fouse, Ellen Hoffing, Gary Cohen, Michael Jandernoa, Gerald Kunkle, Herman Morris, Donal O’Connor, and Marc Coucke. The court also dismissed without prejudice claims arising from the Tysabri® accounting issue described above and claims alleging incorrect disclosure of organic growth described above. The defendants who were not dismissed are Perrigo Company plc, Joe Papa, and Judy Brown. The claims (described above) that were not dismissed relate to the integration issues regarding the Omega acquisition, the defense against the Mylan tender offer, and the alleged price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals. The defendants who remain in the case (the Company, Mr. Papa, and Ms. Brown) have filed answers denying liability, and the discovery stage of litigation has begun. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

On November 14, 2019, the court granted the lead plaintiffs’ motion and certified three classes for the case: (i) all those who purchased shares between April 21, 2015 through May 2, 2017 inclusive on a U.S. exchange and were damaged thereby; (ii) all those who purchased shares between April 21, 2015 through May 2, 2017 inclusive on the Tel Aviv exchange and were damaged thereby; and (iii) all those who owned shares as of November 12, 2015 and held such stock through at least 8:00 a.m. on November 13, 2015 (whether or not a person tendered shares in response to the Mylan tender offer) (the "tender offer class"). Defendants filed a petition for leave to appeal in the Third Circuit challenging the certification of the tender offer class. On April 30, 2020, the Third Circuit denied leave to appeal. The District Court has approved the issuance of a notice of the pendency of the class action.

Unless otherwise noted, each of the lawsuits discussed in the following sections is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and has been assigned to the same judges hearing the Roofers’ Pension Fund case. The allegations in the complaints relate to events during certain portions of the 2015 through 2017 calendar years, including the period of the Mylan tender offer. All but one of these lawsuits allege violations of
federal securities laws, but none are class actions. One lawsuit (Highfields) alleges only state law claims. We intend to defend all these lawsuits vigorously.

Carmignac, First Manhattan and Similar Cases. The following seven cases were filed by the same law firm and generally make the same factual assertions but, at times, differ as to which securities laws violations they allege:
Case
Date Filed
Carmignac Gestion, S.A. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
11/1/2017
First Manhattan Co. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
2/16/2018; amended 4/20/2018
Nationwide Mutual Funds, et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
10/29/2018
Schwab Capital Trust, et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
1/31/2019
Aberdeen Canada Funds -- Global Equity Fund, et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
2/22/2019
Principal Funds, Inc., et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
3/5/2020
Kuwait Investment Authority, et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
3/31/2020

The original complaints in the Carmignac case and the First Manhattan case named Perrigo, Mr. Papa, Ms. Brown, and Mr. Coucke as defendants. Mr. Coucke was dismissed as a defendant after the plaintiffs agreed to apply the July 2018 ruling in the Roofers' Pension Fund case to these two cases. The complaints in each of the other cases name only Perrigo, Mr. Papa, and Ms. Brown as defendants.

Each complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) (and Rule 10b-5 thereunder) and all cases except Aberdeen assert claims under Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act against all defendants, as well as control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act against the individual defendants. The control person claims against the individual defendants are limited to the period from April 2015 through April 2016 in the Carmignac case. The complaints in the Carmignac and First Manhattan cases also assert claims under Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

Each complaint alleges inadequate disclosures concerning the valuation and integration of Omega, the financial guidance we provided, our reporting about the generic prescription pharmaceutical business and its prospects, and the activities surrounding the efforts to defeat the Mylan tender offer during 2015, and, in each of the cases other than Carmignac, alleged price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals. The First Manhattan complaint also alleges improper accounting for the Tysabri® asset. With the exception of Carmignac, each of these cases relates to events during the period from April 2015 through May 2017. Many of the allegations in these cases overlap with the allegations of the June 2017 amended complaint in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case, though the Nationwide Mutual, Schwab Capital, Aberdeen, Principal Funds and Kuwait complaints do not include the factual allegations that the court dismissed in the July 2018 ruling in the Roofers' Pension Fund case.

After the court issued its July 2018 opinion in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case, the parties in Carmignac and First Manhattan conferred and agreed that the ruling in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case would apply equally to the common allegations in their cases. The later filed cases adopted a similar posture. The defendants in the Carmignac and other cases listed above filed motions to dismiss addressing the additional allegations in such cases. On July 31, 2019, the court granted such motions to dismiss in part and denied them in part. That ruling applies to each of the above cases. The defendants have filed (or with respect to the most recent cases intend to file) answers in each case denying liability. Each case other than Kuwait Investment Authority is currently in the discovery phase, and the plaintiffs in the latter case are expected to participate in discovery activities with the other plaintiffs.

Mason Capital, Pentwater and Similar Cases. The following eight cases were filed by the same law firm and generally make the same factual allegations:
Case
Date Filed
Mason Capital L.P., et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
1/26/2018
Pentwater Equity Opportunities Master Fund Ltd., et al.  v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
1/26/2018
WCM Alternatives: Event-Drive Fund, et al. v. Perrigo Co., plc, et al.
11/15/2018
Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., et al. v. Perrigo Co., plc, et al.
11/15/2018
Discovery Global Citizens Master Fund, Ltd., et al. v. Perrigo Co. plc, et al.
12/18/2019
York Capital Management, L.P., et al. v. Perrigo Co. plc, et al.
12/20/2019
Burlington Loan Management DAC v. Perrigo Co. plc, et al.
2/12/2020
Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited v. Perrigo Co. plc, et al.
3/2/2020

The complaints in the Mason Capital case and the Pentwater case originally named Perrigo and 11 current or former directors and officers of Perrigo as defendants. In the July 2018 Roofers’ Pension Fund ruling, the court dismissed without prejudice each of the defendants other than Perrigo, Mr. Papa and Ms. Brown from that case; these plaintiffs later agreed that this ruling would apply to their cases as well. The complaints in each of the other cases in the above table name only Perrigo, Mr. Papa, and Ms. Brown as defendants.

Each complaint asserts claims under Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act against all defendants, as well as control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act against the individual defendants. The complaints in the WCM case and the Universities Superannuation Scheme case also assert claims under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.

Each complaint alleges inadequate disclosure during the tender offer period in 2015 and at various times concerning valuation and integration of Omega, the financial guidance provided by us during that period, alleged price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals, and alleged improper accounting for the Tysabri® asset. The WCM complaint also makes these allegations for the period through May 2017 and the Universities Superannuation Scheme complaint also concerns certain times during 2016. Many of the factual allegations in these cases overlap with the allegations of the June 2017 amended complaint in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case, and the Mason Capital and Pentwater cases include factual allegations similar to those in the Carmignac case described above.

After the court issued its July 2018 opinion in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case, the parties in each of the above cases conferred and agreed that the ruling in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case would apply equally to the common allegations in their cases. The defendants in each of these cases have filed answers denying liability, and each of the cases is currently in the discovery phase.

Harel Insurance and TIAA-CREF Cases. The following two cases were filed by the same law firm and generally make the same factual allegations relating to the period from February 2014 through May 2017 (in the Harel case) and from August 2014 through May 2017 (in the TIAA-CREF case):
Case
Date Filed
Harel Insurance Company, Ltd., et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
2/13/2018
TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC., et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
4/20/2018

The complaints in the Harel and TIAA-CREF cases originally named Perrigo and 13 current or former directors and officers of Perrigo as defendants (adding two more individual defendants not sued in the other cases described in this section). In the July 2018 Roofers’ Pension Fund ruling, the court dismissed without prejudice 8 of the 11 defendants other than Perrigo, Mr. Papa and Ms. Brown from that case. These plaintiffs later agreed that that ruling would apply to these cases as well and also dismissed their claims against the two additional individuals that only these plaintiffs had named as defendants.

Each complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder against all defendants, as well as control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act against the individual defendants. The complaint in the Harel case also asserts claims based on Israeli securities laws.

Each of the complaints alleges inadequate disclosure around the tender offer events in 2015 and at various times during the relevant periods concerning valuation and integration of Omega, the financial guidance provided by us during that period, alleged price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals, and alleged improper accounting for the Tysabri® asset from February 2014 until the withdrawal of past financial statements in April 2017.

After the court issued its July 2018 opinion in the Roofers’ Pension Fund case, the parties in the Harel and TIAA-CREF cases conferred and agreed that such ruling would apply equally to the common allegations in their cases. The defendants in each of these cases have filed answers denying liability, and each of the cases is currently in the discovery phase.

Other Cases Related to Events in 2015-2017. Certain allegations in the following three cases also overlap with the allegations of the June 2017 amended complaint in the Roofers' Pension Fund case and with allegations in one or more of the other individual cases described in the sections above:
Case
Date Filed
Sculptor Master Fund (f/k/a OZ Master Fund, Ltd.), et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
2/6/2019
Highfields Capital I LP, et al. v. Perrigo Company plc, et al.
6/4/2020
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc., et al. v. Perrigo Co. plc, et al.
4/21/2020

Each of the above complaints names Perrigo, Mr. Papa, and Ms. Brown as defendants.

The Sculptor Master Fund (formerly OZ) complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder against all defendants, as well as control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act against the individual defendants. The parties have agreed that the court's rulings in July 2018 in the Roofers' Pension Fund case and in July 2019 in the Carmignac and related cases will apply to this case as well. The defendants have filed answers denying liability. The plaintiffs are participating in the discovery proceedings in the Roofers' Pension Fund case and the various individual cases described above.

The BlackRock Global complaint also asserts claims under Securities Exchange Act section 10(b) (and SEC Rule 10b-5) and section 14(e) against all defendants and section 20(a) control person claims against the individual defendants largely based on the same events during the period from April 2015 through May 2017. Plaintiffs contend that the defendants provided inadequate disclosure during the tender offer period in 2015 and point to disclosures at various times during the period concerning valuation and integration of Omega, the financial guidance provided by us during that period, alleged price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals, alleged lower performance in the generic prescription drug business during 2015 and alleged improper accounting for the Tysabri® asset. The parties have begun discussions about the schedule for how this case should proceed.

The Highfields federal case complaint asserted claims under Sections 14(e) and 18 of the Securities Exchange Act against all defendants, as well as control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act against the individual defendants. As originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the Highfields complaint also alleged claims under the Massachusetts Unfair Business Methods Law (chapter 93A) and Massachusetts common law claims of tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. The factual allegations generally were similar to the factual allegations in the Amended Complaint in the Roofers' Pension Fund case described above, except that the Highfields plaintiffs did not include allegations about alleged collusive pricing of generic prescription drugs. In March 2020, the District of Massachusetts court granted defendants’ motion and transferred the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey so that the activities in the case could proceed in tandem with the other cases in the District of New Jersey described above. After the transfer, in June 2020, the Highfields plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their federal lawsuit. The same Highfields plaintiffs the same day then filed a new lawsuit in Massachusetts State Court asserting the same factual allegations as in their federal lawsuit and alleging only Massachusetts state law claims under the Massachusetts Unfair Business Methods Law (chapter 93A) and Massachusetts common law claims of tortious interference with prospective economic
advantage, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. Defendants have until September 2020 to move to dismiss the claims or to answer.

In Israel (cases related to events in 2015-2017)

Because our shares are traded on the Tel Aviv exchange under a dual trading arrangement, we are potentially subject to securities litigation in Israel. Three cases were filed; one was voluntarily dismissed in each of 2017 and 2018 and one was stayed in 2018. We are consulting Israeli counsel about our response to these allegations and we intend to defend this case vigorously.

On June 28, 2017, a plaintiff filed a complaint in Tel Aviv District Court styled Israel Elec. Corp. Employees’ Educ. Fund v. Perrigo Company plc, et al. The lead plaintiff seeks to represent a class of shareholders who purchased Perrigo stock on the Tel Aviv exchange during the period from April 24, 2015 through May 3, 2017 and also a claim for those that owned shares on the final day of the Mylan tender offer (November 13, 2015). The amended complaint names as defendants the Company, Ernst & Young LLP (the Company’s auditor), and 11 current or former directors and officers of Perrigo (Mses. Judy Brown, Laurie Brlas, Jacqualyn Fouse, Ellen Hoffing, and Messrs. Joe Papa, Marc Coucke, Gary Cohen, Michael Jandernoa, Gerald Kunkle, Herman Morris, and Donal O’Connor). The complaint alleges violations under U.S. securities laws of Securities Exchange Act sections 10(b) (and Rule 10b‑5) and 14(e) against all defendants and 20(a) control person liability against the 11 individuals or, in the alternative, under Israeli securities laws. In general, the allegations concern the actions taken by us and our former executives to defend against the unsolicited takeover bid by Mylan in the period from April 21, 2015 through November 13, 2015 and the allegedly inadequate disclosure concerning purported integration problems related to the Omega acquisition, alleges incorrect reporting of organic growth at the Company, alleges price fixing activities with respect to six generic prescription pharmaceuticals, and alleges improper accounting for the Tysabri® royalty stream. The plaintiff indicates an initial, preliminary class damages estimate of 2.7 billion NIS (approximately $760.0 million at 1 NIS = 0.28 cents). After the other two cases filed in Israel were voluntarily dismissed, the plaintiff in this case agreed to stay this case pending the outcome of the Roofers’ Pension Fund case in the U.S. (described above). The Israeli court approved the stay, and this case is now stayed. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

In the United States (cases related to Irish Tax events)

On January 3, 2019, a shareholder filed a complaint against the Company, our CEO Murray Kessler, and our former CFO Ronald Winowiecki in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Masih v. Perrigo Company, et al.). Plaintiff purported to represent a class of shareholders for the period November 8, 2018 through December 20, 2018, inclusive. The complaint alleged violations of Securities Exchange Act section 10(b) (and Rule 10b‑5) against all defendants and section 20(a) control person liability against the individual defendants. In general the allegations contended that the Company, in its Form 10‑Q filed November 8, 2018, disclosed information about an October 31, 2018 audit finding letter received from Irish tax authorities but failed to disclose enough material information about that letter until December 20, 2018, when we filed a current report on Form 8‑K about Irish tax matters. The plaintiff did not provide an estimate of class damages. The Court selected lead plaintiffs and changed the name of the case to In re Perrigo Company plc Sec. Litig. The lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on April 12, 2019, which named the same defendants, asserted the same class period, and invoked the same Exchange Act sections. The amended complaint generally repeated the allegations of the original complaint with a few additional details and adds that the defendants also failed to timely disclose the Irish tax authorities’ Notice of Amended Assessment received on November 29, 2018. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on May 3, 2019. On May 31, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which asserted a longer class period (March 1, 2018 through December 20, 2018) and added one additional individual defendant, former CEO Uwe Roehrhoff. In general, the second amended complaint contends that Perrigo’s disclosures about the Irish tax audit were inadequate beginning with Perrigo’s 10-K filed on March 1, 2018 through December 20, 2018 and repeats many of the allegations of the April 2019 amended complaint. The second amended complaint alleges violations of Securities Exchange Act section 10(b) (and SEC Rule 10b-5) against all defendants and section 20(a) control person liability against the three individual defendants. All defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss, and the motion was fully briefed. On January 23, 2020, the court granted the motion to dismiss in part and denied it in part, dismissing Mr. Roehrhoff as a defendant and dismissing allegations of inadequate disclosures related to the audit by Irish Revenue during the period March 2018 through October 30, 2018. The court permitted the plaintiffs to pursue their claims against us, Mr. Kessler, and Mr. Winowiecki related to disclosures after Perrigo received the October 30, 2018 audit findings letter and later events through December 20, 2018. The Defendants filed answers on February 13, 2020 denying
liability, and the Court held a scheduling conference on February 28, 2020, and issued a scheduling order on March 3, 2020. Discovery on the remaining issues is underway. Plaintiffs have filed a motion for class certification. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

In Israel (cases related to Irish Tax events)

On December 31, 2018, a shareholder filed an action against the Company, our CEO Murray Kessler, and our former CFO Ronald Winowiecki in Tel Aviv District Court (Baton v. Perrigo Company plc, et. al.). The case is a securities class action brought in Israel making similar factual allegations for the same period as those asserted in the In re Perrigo Company plc Sec. Litig case in New York federal court. This case alleges that persons who invested through the Tel Aviv stock exchange can assert claims under Israeli securities law that will follow the liability principles of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act. The plaintiff does not provide an estimate of class damages. In 2019, the court granted two requests by Perrigo to stay the proceedings pending the resolution of proceedings in the United States. Perrigo filed a further request for a stay in February 2020, and the court granted the stay indefinitely. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

Claim Arising from the Omega Acquisition

On December 16, 2016, we and Perrigo Ireland 2 brought an arbitral claim ("Claim") against Alychlo NV ("Alychlo") and Holdco I BE NV (together the "Sellers") in accordance with clause 26.2 of the Share Purchase Agreement dated November 6, 2014 ("SPA") and the rules of the Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation ("CEPANI"). Our Claim relates to the accuracy and completeness of information about Omega provided by the Sellers as part of the sale process, the withholding of information by the Sellers during that process and breaches of Sellers’ warranties. We are seeking monetary damages from the Sellers. The Sellers served their respective responses to the Claim on February 20, 2017. In its response, Alychlo has asserted a counterclaim for monetary damages contending that we breached a warranty in the SPA and breached the duty of good faith in performing the SPA. Alychlo subsequently filed papers seeking permission to introduce an additional counterclaim theory of recovery related to the Irish tax issues disclosed by the Company such that if the position of the Irish tax authorities prevails, Alychlo would have further basis for its counterclaim against Perrigo. In June 2019, the Tribunal denied permission for Alychlo to introduce the additional counterclaim and dismissed certain aspects of the original Alychlo counterclaim. There can be no assurance that our Claim will be successful, and the Sellers deny liability for the Claim. To the extent that aspects of Alychlo’s counterclaim survived the Tribunal’s ruling in June 2019, we deny that Alychlo is entitled to any relief (including monetary relief). The arbitration proceedings are confidential as required by the SPA and the rules of the CEPANI.

Other Matters

Our Board of Directors received a shareholder demand letter dated October 30, 2018 relating to the allegations in the securities cases and price fixing lawsuits described above. The letter demands that the Board of Directors initiate an action against certain current and former executives and Board members to recover damages allegedly caused to the Company. In response, the Company reminded the shareholder that any derivative claim can only proceed in accordance with Irish law, the law that governs the Company’s internal affairs. The shareholder responded that he would file a lawsuit asserting derivative claims.

On October 2, 2019, the shareholder filed a derivative action in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey styled Krueger derivatively on behalf of nominal defendant Perrigo Company plc v. Alford, et al. The case was assigned to the same judges who are handling the Roofers' Pension Fund securities class action and related opt out cases described above. In addition to the Company, the lawsuit names as defendants current Board members Alford, Classon, Karaboutis, Kindler, O’Connor, Parker, and Samuels, current CEO Kessler, former Board members Smith, Brlas, Cohen, Fouse, Hoffing, Jandernoa, Kunkle, and Morris, former CEO Hendrickson, former CEO Papa, former CFO Brown, former CFO Winowiecki, and former Executive Vice Presidents Boothe and Coucke. The lawsuit seeks to authorize the shareholder to pursue claims on behalf of the Company against all the individual defendants for breach of their fiduciary duties and for unjust enrichment, and against the current director defendants, former director Mr. Smith, and current CEO Mr. Kessler for violations of Securities Exchange Act §§ 14(a) (proxy statement disclosures) and 29(b) (disgorgement as a result of alleged violations of § 14(a)). The complaint alleges that the following events indicate that the individuals in their respective capacities failed to exercise appropriate control over the management of the Company and made inadequate public disclosures
concerning the integration of Omega after acquisition; the Company’s past and prospective organic growth; the defense against the Mylan 2015 tender offer; the alleged collusive pricing activities regarding generic prescription products; the accounting by the Company for the Tysabri® royalty stream; the 2018 Irish tax audit including potential liabilities for Irish taxes; and the April 2019 assertion of tax liabilities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (many of these factual events also underlie the multiple securities cases discussed earlier in this Note 14). All defendants have filed motions to dismiss asserting various reasons to dismiss. Plaintiff filed his opposition in March 2020. Defendants’ filed replies in support of dismissal in June 2020. The motions are fully briefed and pending. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

Talcum Powder

The Company has been named, together with other manufacturers, in product liability lawsuits in state courts in California, Florida, Missouri and Illinois and in the Southern District of Mississippi alleging that the use of body powder products containing talcum powder causes mesothelioma and lung cancer due to the presence of asbestos. The Company has been named in 32 individual lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive damages and has accepted a tender for a portion of the defense costs and liability from a retailer for one additional matter. The Company has not manufactured or sold the types of talcum powder products described in such lawsuits since 1999. The Company has several defenses and intends to aggressively defend these lawsuits.

Ranitidine

After regulatory bodies announced worldwide that ranitidine may potentially contain N-nitrosodimethylamine ("NDMA"), a known environmental contaminant, the Company promptly began testing its externally-sourced ranitidine API and ranitidine-based products. On October 8, 2019, the Company halted shipments of the product based upon preliminary results and on October 23, 2019, the Company made the decision to conduct a voluntary retail market withdrawal.

In February 2020, the resulting actions involving Zantac and other ranitidine products were transferred for coordinated pretrial proceedings to a Multi-District Litigation (In re Zantac/Ranitidine Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2924) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. This MDL now includes three master complaints. The Company is named in two of those: the Master Personal Injury Complaint and the Consolidated Consumer Class Action Complaint.

As of July 15, 2020, the Company has been named in twenty-one of the MDL’s consolidated personal injury lawsuits in various federal courts alleging that plaintiffs developed various types of cancers or are placed at higher risk of developing cancer as a result of ingesting products containing ranitidine. The Company is named in these lawsuits with manufacturers of the national brand Zantac® and other manufacturers of ranitidine products distributors, repackagers, and/or retailers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, and in some instances seek applicable remedies under state consumer protection laws. The Company has also been named in a Complaint brought by the New Mexico Attorney General based on the following theories: violation of a New Mexico public nuisance statute, NMSA 30-8-1 to -14; common law nuisance; and negligence and gross negligence. The Company is named in this lawsuit with manufacturers of the national brand Zantac® and other manufacturers of ranitidine products and/or retailers. Some of the Company’s retailer customers are seeking indemnity from the Company for a portion of their defense costs and liability relating to these and other consolidated cases. We intend to defend all of these lawsuits vigorously.