Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13122

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Connecticut joins states suing over Zyprexa
Associated Press 2008 Mar 11
http://www.ktva.com/alaska/ci_8535276

Full text:

Connecticut is joining at least nine other states suing drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. over the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says Connecticut’s lawsuit seeks to recover more than $190 million that the state’s medical assistance program spent on Zyprexa over more than a decade.

The lawsuit accuses Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly of running an illegal marketing campaign to promote Zyprexa for unapproved off-label uses, including treating children.

Blumenthal says the campaign also concealed risks associated with the drug, including diabetes, weight gain and cardiovascular problems.

A court in Alaska is currently hearing that state’s lawsuit, and eight other states have sued as well. A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly says that the claims in the lawsuit are without merit and the company is committed to high ethical standards and to promoting medications only for approved uses.