Multiple major pharmaceutical companies have united in challenging Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a series of consolidated appeals before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, according to court filings dated Feb. 9, 2026.
The consolidated litigation involves three separate cases that have been combined under case numbers 24-30645, 24-30651, and 24-30673. The pharmaceutical appellants include some of the industry's largest players: AbbVie Inc., Allergan Inc., AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals L.P., and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, along with several subsidiary companies.
In the lead case, 24-30645, seven pharmaceutical entities serve as plaintiffs-appellants against Murrill in her official capacity as Louisiana's Attorney General. These companies include AbbVie Inc., Allergan Inc., Durata Therapeutics Inc., AbbVie Products L.L.C., Aptalis Pharma US Inc., Allergan Sales L.L.C., and Pharmacyclics L.L.C.
The second consolidated case, 24-30651, features AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals L.P. as the sole plaintiff-appellant challenging the same defendant. The third case, 24-30673, involves the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America as the appellant.
In all three cases, the Louisiana Primary Care Association has intervened as a defendant-appellee, supporting the Attorney General's position. The association's involvement suggests the dispute may relate to healthcare access or pharmaceutical pricing issues, though the specific nature of the underlying controversy is not detailed in the available court documents.
The consolidation of these cases indicates the Fifth Circuit determined they involve similar legal questions or factual issues that would benefit from joint consideration. This procedural move typically occurs when multiple lawsuits involve related claims against the same defendant or similar legal theories.
Attorney General Murrill, who took office in January 2024, has faced various legal challenges during her tenure. The involvement of multiple pharmaceutical companies suggests this case may involve significant regulatory or enforcement actions by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office that affect the drug industry.
The presence of major pharmaceutical corporations as appellants indicates substantial stakes in the litigation. AbbVie, one of the world's largest biopharmaceutical companies, is known for products including Humira and has annual revenues exceeding $50 billion. Allergan, now part of AbbVie following a 2020 acquisition, is a major producer of branded pharmaceuticals and medical devices. AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company with significant operations in the United States.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA, serves as the industry's primary trade association representing leading biopharmaceutical companies. PhRMA's involvement as a separate appellant suggests the case may involve industry-wide concerns about Louisiana's regulatory approach.
The Louisiana Primary Care Association's role as an intervenor defendant indicates the organization has a substantial interest in supporting the Attorney General's position. Primary care associations typically advocate for increased healthcare access and affordability, suggesting the dispute may involve pharmaceutical pricing or access issues.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans, has jurisdiction over federal appeals from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The court's docket indicates this case was filed on Feb. 9, 2026, with Lyle W. Cayce serving as clerk.
The consolidation of multiple pharmaceutical companies' appeals against a single state attorney general is relatively uncommon and suggests the underlying state action may have broad implications for the pharmaceutical industry's operations in Louisiana or potentially other states.
While the specific legal issues remain unclear from the available filing information, the involvement of such prominent pharmaceutical companies and industry organizations indicates the case likely involves significant regulatory, enforcement, or policy matters affecting drug pricing, distribution, or market practices.
The case's progression through the federal appeals process will be closely watched by both the pharmaceutical industry and state regulatory officials, as the outcome could have implications for how states regulate pharmaceutical companies and their business practices.
The next steps in the litigation will likely include briefing schedules and potentially oral arguments before a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit. The court's ultimate decision could affect not only the specific companies involved but also set precedent for similar disputes between pharmaceutical companies and state attorneys general across the circuit.