Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15588

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

Rankin B.
Georgia settles with Eli Lilly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2009 May 2
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/05/02/zyprexa.html

Abstract:

Drug maker to pay state $6 million.Other states file suits over marketing of anti-psychotic drug

Full text:

Georgia has decided to enter into a multimillion-dollar settlement with Eli Lilly and Co. over the pharmaceutical giant’s off-label promotion of the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa.

The state will get more than $6 million from the deal. Even so, lawyers familiar with the case wonder if Georgia is missing out on a much larger payday.

A dozen other states have decided not to settle. They have filed their own lawsuits seeking massive damage awards. The suits seek, in part, reimbursement for Medicaid payments for unwarranted Zyprexa prescriptions.

The suits contend Lilly misled patients and their physicians about Zyprexa’s potential side effects — diabetes, hyperglycemia and excessive weight gain. Lilly has denied wrongdoing in these civil cases.

Georgia has joined 30 other states in taking the settlement, a Lilly spokeswoman said.