McKesson Corp., the biggest U.S. drug distributor, must face a class-action lawsuit over claims that it wrongfully inflated the wholesale price of prescription medicines, causing millions of consumers to pay too much.

U.S. District Judge Patti Saris in Boston certified the class action Wednesday, court records show.

The class was certified under federal racketeering statutes, meaning that whatever damages may eventually be awarded would be tripled, lawyers said.

San Francisco-based McKesson didn't immediately comment.