What was the metformin NDMA lawsuit about?

The lawsuit alleged that generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, and Heritage was contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a chemical the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a probable human carcinogen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets a strict daily intake limit of 96 nanograms for NDMA. In early 2020, the independent online pharmacy Valisure announced it had detected NDMA in batches of prescription metformin manufactured by several companies, prompting voluntary recalls and a wave of class action lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuits alleged that the contaminated metformin was 'adulterated' or 'economically worthless' and that consumers would not have purchased the drug had they known of the contamination. Teva, Granules, and Heritage deny the allegations and are settling without admitting liability.

Do I need proof of purchase to file a metformin settlement claim?

Yes, but the bar is reasonable. For consumer claims, you must provide 'documents or other proof showing you purchased or paid for generic versions of metformin-containing drugs at least once' during the class period (July 20, 2015 through June 2, 2020). A pharmacy printout, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your health insurer, a pharmacy receipt, or refill records typically qualify. You only need to document at least one purchase, not every purchase you made. For Third-Party Payor claims, transaction data is mandatory for claims of $100,000 or more, and the Claims Administrator may also request transaction data for smaller TPP claims. TPPs should keep all related records in case they are requested.

Are Third-Party Payors (insurance companies) eligible for this settlement?

Yes. The settlement includes a separate Third-Party Payor (TPP) Class for entities such as health insurance companies and self-insured health and welfare plans that purchased, paid for, or provided reimbursement for generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage between July 20, 2015 and June 2, 2020. TPPs file a different claim form than consumers, accompanied by transaction data (mandatory for claims of $100,000 or more). The official Settlement Website provides a TPP filing template, a list of applicable NDC numbers, and both online and mail filing options for TPPs.

Metformin Class Action Settlement 2026 — $5.55M Teva & Granules NDMA Claim by Jul 10

Q: Who qualifies for the Teva, Granules, and Heritage metformin settlement?

There are two settlement classes. The Consumer Class includes individuals in the United States who purchased, paid for, or provided reimbursement for generic versions of metformin-containing drugs manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Granules, or Heritage Pharmaceuticals (doing business as Avet Pharmaceuticals) between July 20, 2015 and June 2, 2020. The Third-Party Payor (TPP) Class includes entities such as health insurance companies and self-insured health and welfare plans that purchased, paid for, or provided reimbursement for the same drugs during the same period for their members, employees, insureds, participants, or beneficiaries. The exact class definitions are spelled out in the Long Form Notice on the official Settlement Website.

Q: How much can I get from the metformin settlement?

The total Settlement Fund is $5.55 million: $3 million from Teva and $2.55 million combined from Granules and Heritage. Per-claimant payouts have not been announced and will depend on how many class members file valid claims and what the court approves for attorneys' fees, administrative costs, and any class representative service awards. Consumer payouts are typically distributed pro rata based on the total purchases each claimant documents during the class period. The Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website explains how the Fund will be allocated between consumers and third-party payors.

Q: What is the metformin settlement claim deadline?

All claims, both consumer and Third-Party Payor, must be submitted online by July 10, 2026 or postmarked by mail by July 10, 2026. Claims received or postmarked after that date will not be eligible for payment from the Settlement Fund. The official Settlement Website at inremetforminsettlement.com offers both online claim portals and downloadable PDF claim forms for mailing.

Q: Does this metformin settlement cover personal injury or cancer claims?

No. This settlement is an economic-loss settlement: it refunds class members for what they paid for the contaminated metformin during the class period. Personal injury claims — including allegations that NDMA-contaminated metformin caused cancer or other physical harms — are pursued in separate litigation and are not part of this $5.55 million Settlement Fund. Filing a claim in this economic-loss settlement does not waive a separate personal injury claim, and vice versa. Class members who believe a contaminated metformin product harmed their health should consult an attorney about their options.

By Steve Levine

$5.55M Teva, Granules and Heritage (Avet) metformin NDMA class action settlement 2026 — generic metformin diabetes drug contamination lawsuit, claim deadline July 10, 2026

Published: May 18, 2026

Status Claims Open

Claim Deadline July 10, 2026 consumer and Third-Party Payor claims due online or postmarked by this date

Settlement Fund $5.55 Million $3M from Teva · $2.55M combined from Granules and Heritage

Proof Required Yes (At Least One Documented Purchase) pharmacy receipt, EOB, refill record, or similar · TPPs need transaction data for claims of $100,000+

What Is the Metformin NDMA Settlement About?

Did you take generic metformin for type 2 diabetes between July 2015 and June 2020? If your medication was manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Granules, or Heritage Pharmaceuticals (doing business as Avet), the metformin class action settlement announced in 2026 may pay you a share of a $5.55 million fund. The Teva metformin settlement and the combined Granules/Heritage settlements resolve consolidated metformin lawsuits filed in 2020 after the metformin recall over NDMA contamination. The claim deadline is July 10, 2026.

The metformin lawsuit, captioned In re Metformin Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, Civil Action No. 20-cv-02334-MCA-MAH, is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey before Judge Madeline Cox Arleo. The diabetes drug class action consolidates multiple complaints filed in 2020 after independent online pharmacy Valisure announced it had detected N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, in batches of prescription metformin from several manufacturers.

Teva, Granules, and Heritage deny the allegations and are settling the metformin class action without admitting liability. The Claims Administrator is A.B. Data, Ltd. The official Settlement Website is at inremetforminsettlement.com, where the Long Form Notice, claim forms, court documents, and online filing portals are posted.

30-Second Self-Test: Do I Qualify for the Metformin Settlement?

If you can answer yes to the question below, you are likely a Settlement Class Member as a consumer.

• Did you purchase, pay for, or provide reimbursement for a generic version of a metformin-containing drug manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage at any time between July 20, 2015 and June 2, 2020? If yes, you are within the Consumer Class and may file a claim before July 10, 2026.

If you answered yes, gather any proof of at least one metformin purchase during the class period (pharmacy receipt, refill record, Explanation of Benefits, or comparable documentation) and head to the official Settlement Website to file online or download the printable claim form.

Why Was Metformin Recalled in 2020? The NDMA Contamination Story

The 2020 metformin recall affected generic versions of one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, taken daily by tens of millions of Americans, often for decades. That broad and long-term exposure is why the 2020 NDMA contamination findings raised significant public health concern and led to the metformin class action lawsuits that produced this settlement.

In early 2020, the online pharmacy and independent drug-testing lab Valisure announced that it had detected NDMA in specific batches of prescription metformin from several manufacturers. NDMA, or N-nitrosodimethylamine, is a chemical byproduct that can form during certain manufacturing processes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies NDMA as a probable human carcinogen based on animal studies, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets an acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms.

The metformin contamination findings followed similar issues earlier discovered in ranitidine (sold under brand names including Zantac) and in certain blood pressure medications such as valsartan. By mid-2020, the FDA had requested voluntary recalls from multiple metformin manufacturers whose batches tested above acceptable NDMA limits.

The class action complaints alleged that Teva, Granules, and Heritage knew or should have known about the potential for NDMA formation in their metformin products and that the contaminated drugs were "adulterated" or "economically worthless." The lawsuits sought economic damages on behalf of consumers and third-party payors who paid for metformin during the class period. Personal injury claims, such as cancer-related claims, are typically pursued in separate litigation, not in this economic-loss class action.

Who Are the Settling Defendants?

Three pharmaceutical companies have agreed to settle. The full corporate names from the Settlement Agreement are:

• Teva ($3 million contribution). Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (the Israel-based parent); Actavis Pharma, Inc.; and Actavis LLC. Teva is one of the largest generic drug manufacturers in the world. The Actavis entities were acquired by Teva in 2016 and continued to manufacture generic metformin under various labels.
• Granules ($1.275 million approximately, share of joint $2.55M contribution). Granules USA, Inc. and Granules Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Granules is the U.S. subsidiary of Indian pharmaceutical company Granules India Limited. Granules-manufactured metformin was among the products Valisure flagged in early 2020.
• Heritage / Avet ($1.275 million approximately, share of joint $2.55M contribution). Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., doing business as Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. Heritage rebranded to Avet Pharmaceuticals in 2019 but continues to be the legal defendant in this case under its prior name.

Importantly, this settlement does not cover other metformin manufacturers (such as Amneal, Ascend, Marksans, Sun Pharma, or others) whose products may have also been subject to NDMA-related recalls or separate litigation. Class members can typically only recover for metformin they purchased that was manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage during the class period.

Do I Qualify for the Metformin Settlement? Two Settlement Classes Explained

The settlement establishes two separate classes, each with its own filing process.

Consumer Class. Individuals in the United States who purchased, paid for, or provided reimbursement for generic versions of metformin-containing drugs manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage between July 20, 2015 and June 2, 2020. "Reimbursement" includes situations where you paid out of pocket and were later reimbursed by an HSA, FSA, or other source.

Third-Party Payor (TPP) Class. Entities (not individuals) that purchased, paid for, or provided reimbursement for generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage for their members, employees, insureds, participants, or beneficiaries during the same class period. TPPs typically include health insurance companies, self-insured health and welfare plans, union benefit funds, and similar entities.

The exact class definitions, including categories specifically excluded from the classes, are spelled out in the Long Form Notice posted on the official Settlement Website. Class members who fall under specific exclusions cannot recover even if they otherwise purchased the qualifying drug.

What Proof of Purchase Do I Need for the Metformin Claim?

Proof requirements differ between consumers and Third-Party Payors. Here is what each type of claimant needs to assemble before filing.

Consumer Claim Form proof requirement. The Consumer Claim Form requires "documents or other proof showing you purchased or paid for generic versions of metformin-containing drugs at least once" during the class period. Typical proof documents include:

• Pharmacy printouts or prescription history records (most pharmacies can provide a complete prescription history at no charge upon request)
• Pharmacy receipts (paper or electronic)
• Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) from your health insurance showing metformin fills
• Refill records or pill bottle labels showing the manufacturer and date
• Prescription summaries from your healthcare provider or insurer

You only need documentation for at least one qualifying purchase to file. You do not need to document every fill across the five-year class period. Section C of the Consumer Claim Form asks for information about your total purchases of generic metformin during the class period, so include as much information as you can.

Third-Party Payor proof requirement. Transaction data is mandatory for TPP claims of $100,000 or more. The Claims Administrator may also request transaction data for TPP claims under $100,000, so TPPs should keep all related transaction records in case they are requested later. If your TPP claim is under $100,000, the Settlement Website recommends including transaction data with your initial submission if you can. A TPP filing template and a list of applicable NDC numbers are both available for download on the Settlement Website.

How to File a Metformin Settlement Claim Online or by Mail in 2026

Both consumers and TPPs have two filing methods, both with the same July 10, 2026 deadline.

For Consumers

• Method 1: Online. Visit inremetforminsettlement.com, click "File A Claim," then select the Consumer link. The portal walks you through five sections: (A) your name and contact information; (B) confirming you qualify; (C) total generic metformin purchases during the class period; (D) uploading at least one proof document; and (E) signing and certifying under penalty of perjury that your information is true. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal Electronic Signatures Act.
• Method 2: U.S. Mail. Download the printable Consumer Claim Form from the Settlement Website, complete and sign it, attach copies of your supporting documents, and mail it to the Claims Administrator at the address printed on the claim form. Mailed claims must be postmarked by July 10, 2026.

For Third-Party Payors

• Method 1: Online. Visit the Settlement Website, click "File A Claim," and select the Third-Party Payor link. Online TPP submissions allow upload of the TPP filing template (the Settlement Website provides this template as an Excel file) and the list of applicable NDC numbers.
• Method 2: U.S. Mail. Download the printable Third-Party Payor Form from the Settlement Website, complete it, attach your filing template and any supporting transaction data, and mail it to the Claims Administrator at the address printed on the claim form, postmarked by July 10, 2026.

If your TPP claim is for $100,000 or more, you must include transaction data with your filing. The Claims Administrator's request for documentation can extend beyond the initial filing, so retain related records throughout the review process.

Key Metformin Settlement Deadlines

• Submit a Consumer Claim Form by: Friday, July 10, 2026 (online or postmarked)
• Submit a Third-Party Payor Claim Form by: Friday, July 10, 2026 (online or postmarked)
• Class period covered: July 20, 2015 through June 2, 2020

The opt-out and objection deadlines and the date of the final approval hearing are posted on the Long Form Notice on the official Settlement Website. Class members who want to opt out or object should review the Long Form Notice carefully and follow the procedures it sets out.

How Much Will I Get and When Will the Metformin Settlement Pay Out?

Payment timing depends on final court approval and any appeals.

• Final Approval Hearing: the date is posted on the Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website. The Court considers whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate before approving distribution.
• Settlement becomes final: after the Court enters final approval and any appeal period passes without an appeal.
• Payment distribution: typically follows several months after the settlement becomes final.
• If appeals are filed: distribution can be delayed by 12 to 36 months.

Per-claimant payouts are typically determined pro rata based on the total documented purchases each claimant made during the class period, after deduction of attorneys' fees, administrative costs, and class representative awards. With a $5.55 million Settlement Fund covering both consumer and TPP claims across a five-year class period, individual consumer payouts are typically modest.

Watch Out for Settlement Scams

Pharmaceutical class action settlements regularly attract scam activity. A few common-sense rules:

• Use the official Settlement Website only: inremetforminsettlement.com. Bookmark it. Verify that any email or text linking to "Metformin Settlement" actually points to this domain before clicking.
• Never pay a fee to receive a settlement benefit. Legitimate class action settlements never require an activation fee, release fee, or "tax payment" to release your payment.
• Be careful about sharing personal health information. The Claim Form only asks for limited identifying information and proof of purchase. Be skeptical of any request for your full Social Security Number, detailed medical history, or banking credentials beyond what is needed for the payment method you select.
• If the Claims Administrator rejects or reduces your Claim, the Long Form Notice describes a dispute resolution process on page 5. Follow that process rather than paying any third party to "help" with your claim.

Other Active Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlements

Generic drug contamination settlements covering nitrosamine impurities (NDMA, NDEA, and related compounds) have produced multiple settlements over the past several years, including in the ranitidine (Zantac), valsartan, losartan, irbesartan, and now metformin litigation. Class members in one of these cases may qualify for unrelated pharmaceutical settlements; filing in this metformin case does not affect eligibility for any others.

Related nitrosamine-contamination class action settlements on OCA:

• $15.26M Valsartan, Losartan & Irbesartan Blood Pressure Drug Contamination Class Action Settlement
• $2M Aurobindo Irbesartan Contaminated Blood Pressure Drug Settlement
• $1.9M Vivimed Losartan Contaminated Blood Pressure Drug Settlement
• Hetero Valsartan Contaminated Blood Pressure Drug Settlement
• Zantac (Ranitidine) GSK Class Action Settlement

Other categories of consumer class action settlements that often run parallel include data breach settlements (when health records are exposed), consumer privacy settlements under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and mislabeling or false advertising settlements over consumer health products.

Browse other active cases:

• OCA database of open class action settlements
• Latest class action news and updates
• Active class action investigations

Frequently Asked Questions About the Metformin Settlement

Who qualifies for the Teva, Granules, and Heritage metformin settlement?

U.S. consumers who purchased, paid for, or were reimbursed for generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage (doing business as Avet) between July 20, 2015 and June 2, 2020 qualify for the Consumer Class. Health insurance companies and self-insured health and welfare plans that paid or reimbursed for the same drugs during the same period qualify for the Third-Party Payor Class.

How much can I get from the metformin settlement?

The total Settlement Fund is $5.55 million ($3 million from Teva, $2.55 million combined from Granules and Heritage). Per-claimant payouts are typically distributed pro rata based on documented purchases, after attorneys' fees and administrative costs are deducted. Individual consumer payouts in a fund of this size, across a five-year class period, are usually modest.

What is the metformin settlement claim deadline?

All consumer and Third-Party Payor claims must be submitted online or postmarked by mail no later than Friday, July 10, 2026.

Do I need proof of purchase to file a metformin claim?

Yes. The Consumer Claim Form requires documentation showing at least one qualifying purchase of generic metformin during the class period. Accepted proof includes pharmacy receipts, prescription history printouts, Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), refill records, or pill bottle labels showing manufacturer and date. You only need to document one qualifying purchase, not every fill.

What is NDMA and why does it matter in metformin?

NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) is a chemical byproduct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a probable human carcinogen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets a daily intake limit of 96 nanograms. In early 2020, independent online pharmacy Valisure detected NDMA above acceptable limits in specific batches of generic metformin, prompting voluntary recalls and the wave of class action lawsuits that this settlement resolves.

Are insurance companies (Third-Party Payors) eligible?

Yes. Health insurance companies, self-insured health and welfare plans, union benefit funds, and similar entities that paid or reimbursed for generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage during the class period qualify for the TPP Class. Transaction data is mandatory for TPP claims of $100,000 or more.

What if I took metformin made by a different manufacturer?

This settlement covers only generic metformin manufactured by Teva, Granules, or Heritage. Other metformin manufacturers (such as Amneal, Ascend, Marksans, Sun Pharma, Aurobindo, and others) are not part of this settlement. Some had separate recalls or are subject to separate litigation. Check your pharmacy records or pill bottle labels to confirm the manufacturer before filing.

Can I still join if I no longer take metformin or switched manufacturers?

Yes. Eligibility is based on whether you purchased qualifying metformin during the class period (July 20, 2015 through June 2, 2020), not whether you still take it. Class members who switched to a different manufacturer after the recalls or stopped taking metformin entirely can still file claims for the period they purchased Teva, Granules, or Heritage metformin within the class window.

Does this metformin settlement cover personal injury or cancer claims?

No. This is an economic-loss settlement — it refunds class members for what they paid for the contaminated metformin during the class period. Personal injury claims, including allegations that NDMA-contaminated metformin caused cancer or other physical harms, are pursued in separate litigation and are not part of this $5.55 million Settlement Fund. Filing a claim in this economic-loss settlement does not waive a separate personal injury claim, and vice versa. Class members who believe a contaminated metformin product harmed their health should consult an attorney about their options.

How do I know if my metformin was made by Teva, Granules, or Heritage?

Check the manufacturer label on your pill bottle, the prescription information printed on your pharmacy fill paperwork, or your full prescription history. Most pharmacies will print a complete prescription history at no charge if you ask. Generic metformin tablets list the manufacturer on the pharmacy label. Heritage Pharmaceuticals rebranded to Avet Pharmaceuticals in 2019, so prescription records from 2019 onward may show either name — both qualify. If your records list a different manufacturer (Amneal, Aurobindo, Sun Pharma, Marksans, Ascend, or others), that manufacturer is not part of this settlement even if their metformin was subject to a separate NDMA recall.

Was generic metformin recalled in 2020?

Yes. In early 2020, the independent online pharmacy Valisure announced it had detected NDMA above the FDA's acceptable daily intake limit in specific batches of prescription metformin from several manufacturers. The FDA then requested voluntary recalls from multiple metformin manufacturers whose lots tested above acceptable NDMA limits. The recalls were specific to certain lots and manufacturers — not all metformin products were recalled. Metformin remains widely available and is still the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes; the recalls addressed manufacturing-process contamination, not the underlying medication.

How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?

Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:

Claim Form Website: InReMetforminSettlement.com

Submit Claim

Official Settlement Notice

Sources

• Official Settlement Website: InReMetforminSettlement.com
• In re Metformin Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, Civil Action No. 20-cv-02334-MCA-MAH, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Hon. Madeline Cox Arleo presiding
• Long Form Notice and Settlement Agreement
• Class Counsel: Carella Byrne Cecchi Brody Agnello, P.C.
• Claims Administrator: A.B. Data, Ltd.
• FDA Updates and Press Announcements on NDMA in Metformin
• U.S. EPA: NDMA Classification as Probable Human Carcinogen
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filing Class Action Settlement Claims

Please submit only truthful information through the Settlement Website. Signing the Claim Form is a sworn statement under penalty of perjury. False or fraudulent submissions can be rejected and may lead to penalties. The official Settlement Website is the authoritative source for benefit amounts, deadlines, and payment instructions. If you are not sure whether you qualify, contact the Claims Administrator through the Settlement Website. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not the Claims Administrator or a law firm, and we do not process or decide claims.

For more class actions keep scrolling below.

Settlement Amount $5,550,000

Case Title In re Metformin Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation

Case Number Civil Action No. 20-cv-02334-MCA-MAH

Court U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey Hon. Madeline Cox Arleo · Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer

Administrator A.B. Data, Ltd.

Official Website In Re Metformin Settlement.com