Federal and state antitrust laws prohibit practices that restrain trade, such as when one or more companies fix prices for products or services, agree not to compete for customers or business, agree to allocate sales in certain markets, boycott a manufacturer or refuse to supply a particular good or service unless another product is also purchased. These laws are intended to lower prices, better quality products and greater choice for consumers by promoting free and open competition, and requiring companies to compete on a level playing field.

Antitrust lawyers have recently been focusing on drug manufacturers' efforts to maintain monopolies for their blockbuster drugs beyond their patent expiration date . The drug makers often file bogus patent infringement suits and enter into collusive licensing agreements with generic manufacturers. Both of these illegal tactics result in a less competitive drug market and higher drug prices for prescription benefit payers and consumers.