Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline will pay $3 billion and plead guilty to criminal and civil charges in connection with off-label marketing of several drugs under an agreement announced Monday by the Justice Department, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The London-based company is accused of illegally marketing prescriptions, including diabetes drug Avandia and the antidepressant Paxil.
“Today’s multi-billion dollar settlement is unprecedented in both size and scope,” James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, said in a statement. “It underscores the Administration’s firm commitment to protecting the American people and holding accountable those who commit health care fraud. At every level, we are determined to stop practices that jeopardize patients’ health, harm taxpayers, and violate the public trust – and this historic action is a clear warning to any company that chooses to break the law.”
