Mass. gets $22.5M in Eli Lilly settlement - Boston Business Journal:

igoeosysata1533.blogspot.com
million to the Massachusetts Medicaif Program as part of a national settlement following allegations the company engaged in the improperr marketing of itsantipsychotic drug, Zyprexa. Federal and state investigators determined thatLilly (NYSE: LLY) promotedc the sale and use of Zyprexs for unapproved uses through a marketing campaign callefd “Viva Zyprexa.” Investigators say Lilly aimed to increase prescriptionws of Zyprexa for unapprovec diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, irritability, disrupted sleep, nausea and gambling addiction.
In addition, Lillyg has pleaded guilty to violating the Drug and Cosmetic Act and paid federal criminal fines and forfeiturestotaling $615 million. The companyg has also entered into an agreemen t under which its sales and marketing of Zyprexs will bestrictly monitored. The combined criminal and civio settlements amount to morethan $1 billion the largest recovery in a health care frausd investigation in U.S.
“Particularly during times of economic distress andbudgeg cutbacks, it is not acceptable for any company whose productz or services are paid for by the Medicair program to conduct business in an unfairf or deceptive manner,” said Massachusetts Attorneg General Martha Coakley, who servedx as the lead negotiator on behalf of the in a prepared writtehn statement. The national settlement has returned morethan $700 milliobn to Medicaid programs in 36 states and the District of Columbisa and an additional $65 million to othed federal health care programs. The coalitiohn of states, which included Ohio, New York, Illinois, New Texas and Delaware, worked in cooperation with the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Easterhn Districtof Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Justicew and the Office of Inspectof General ofthe U.S. Department of Healtg and Human Services. The federal government announcedr its settlement withLilly Jan. 15.