Patients eligible for Taxol settlement dollars

Consumers anywhere in the United States who used the cancer drug Taxol or its generic equivalent, paclitaxel, from Jan. 1, 1999, through Feb. 28, 2003, may be eligible to receive a portion of a $12.5 million settlement from the drug maker.

Taxol's manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, overcharged consumers for the drug, Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire said in a statement. Only a fraction of those eligible have filed claims to get their money.

The deadline for filing claims is Jan. 31, 2004. Submit claims by contacting the Taxol settlement administrator at 1-800-659-7609 or visit the Taxol web site.