J&J, of New Brunswick, N.J., said in the lawsuit that it has paid at least $100 million more in copay assistance than it otherwise would have as a result of the services provided by the firm, SaveOnSP, which has offices in Buffalo, N.Y.

The civil lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, accuses SaveOnSP of contract interference and deceptive trade practices. J&J is seeking damages and a court order that SaveOnSP stop its program.

“Patient assistance should be for patients, not for payers,” said Harry Sandick, an attorney with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP who is representing J&J

SaveOnSP didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

J&J sues drug middleman firm SaveOnSP