Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17332

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

Loftus P
DOJ conducts criminal probe of Pfizer unit's drug marketing
Market Watch 2010 Feb 26
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/doj-conducts-criminal-probe-of-pfizer-units-drug-marketing-2010-02-26

Full text:

Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma are conducting a criminal investigation of a Pfizer Inc. unit’s promotional practices for organ-transplant drug Rapamune, the drug maker disclosed Friday.

New York-based Pfizer said in a regulatory filing the U.S. Attorney’s office for the western district of Oklahoma was conducting the probe. There were no further details in the regulatory filing; a Pfizer spokesman declined immediate comment.

Officials at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oklahoma City couldn’t immediately be reached.

Rapamune is an immunosuppressant used to prevent the body’s rejection of transplanted kidneys. Pfizer acquired the drug with its purchase of Wyeth last year.

Wyeth reported 2008 sales of $375.8 million for the drug; 2009 figures weren’t immediately available.

Pfizer shares declined 0.8% to $17.55.