People familiar with a record settlement to be announced today say Pfizer Inc., the world’s largest drugmaker whose research operations are in Connecticut, will pay a $2.3 billion civil penalty over unlawful prescription drug promotions.
The U.S. Justice Department plans a news conference later in the day with FBI, federal prosecutors, and Health and Human Services Department officials to announce the terms of the deal. The people discussed the announcement on condition of anonymity because the court filings in the case were still under seal.
In financial filings made in January, the company indicated that it would pay $2.3 billion over allegations it had marketed the pain reliever Bextra and possibly other products for medical conditions different than their approved use.
Use of drugs for so called “off-label” medical conditions is not uncommon, but drug manufacturers are prohibited from marketing drugs for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The settlement is the largest ever paid by a drug company for alleged violations of federal drug rules.
Justice Department officials declined to comment, and company officials did not immediately return a call for comment. (AP)
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Reader response:
“The title of the article should read, Pfizer’s customers and the health insurance industry to pay for Pfizer’s misrepresentation of its products. Pfizer ultimately will pass this expense along to us in the form of higher prices for its products. Huge settlements such as this are a big part of the high cost of healthcare.” — David, UConnÂ
