Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7270

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.
AstraZeneca Gets Subpoenas From 2 States: AstraZeneca Gets Subpoenas From 2 States, Inquiry From SEC
Yahoo Finance 2006 Oct 26
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061026/astrazeneca_subpoenas.html?.v=1

Abstract:

AstraZeneca PLC received subpoenas from state regulators in California and Alaska last month seeking information about its marketing of an antipsychotic medication, the drug maker disclosed Thursday.
The Great Britain based company also said it received an informal inquiry from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeking information about payments made to doctors and government officials in certain countries outside the United States, which the company didn’t identify.

In a document posted on its Web site, AstraZeneca said it received a subpoena from the California Attorney General’s Office seeking information about the marketing and sale of Seroquel in the state. The subpoena also sought information about the drug’s status on the “state’s formulary,” AstraZeneca said, which could be a reference to state programs covering prescription drugs.

AstraZeneca received a separate subpoena from the Alaska Attorney General’s Office last month seeking information about the safety and efficacy of Seroquel, as well as marketing practices for the drug, the company said.

AstraZeneca said it’s in the initial stages of responding to the requests.

An AstraZeneca spokesman declined to comment on the Seroquel matter, and a spokeswoman couldn’t immediately be reached regarding the SEC’s informal inquiry.

An SEC spokeswoman declined to comment.

A spokesman for the California Attorney General’s Office couldn’t immediately be reached, and a spokesman with the Alaska Attorney General’s Office declined to immediately comment.

Seroquel is approved to treat schizophrenia and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Last year, the drug generated worldwide sales of $2.76 billion.