Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18917

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: Journal Article

Hopkins Tanne J
GSK lawyer is indicted on charges of obstructing FDA proceeding
BMJ 2010 Nov 17; 341:
http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6570.extract

Abstract:

The US Department of Justice has charged Lauren Stevens, a retired GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) lawyer, in relation to alleged off-label marketing of a drug. She faces one count of obstructing an official proceeding, one count of concealing and falsifying documents to influence a federal agency, and four counts of making false statements to the Food and Drug Administration.

Although drug companies have in the past been charged with off-label marketing of drugs, and several have paid large fines, it is thought that this is the first time an individual has been charged. GSK has not been charged and is not identified in the indictment.

The charges relate to the alleged off-label marketing of the antidepressant bupropion (marketed by GSK as Wellbutrin) for weight loss, and each carries a possible …