Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9120

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

Pierson R.
Pfizer to pay $35 mln in Genotropin settlements
Reuters 2007 Apr 2
http://www.reuters.com/article/health-SP/idUSWNAS544720070402

Full text:

NEW YORK, April 2 (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc. on Monday said it had agreed to pay almost $35 million in fines to settle federal charges that a rival drugmaker it acquired four years ago had inappropriately marketed the human growth hormone Genotropin.

Pfizer acquired the medicine as part of its $60 billion purchase in 2003 of Pharmacia, which the U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating for its past “off-label” marketing of Genotropin. Although doctors may prescribe drugs for off-label uses, meaning uses not approved by U.S. regulators, drugmakers are not allowed to actively promote drugs for such unauthorized uses.

Pfizer said one of its Pharmacia subsidiaries will plead guilty to a single count of offering a vendor payment for recommending purchase of Pharmacia medicines. The plea will not affect continued marketing of the growth hormone, Pfizer said.

Another Pharmacia subsidiary has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice that includes a fine of $15 million for improper promotion of Genotropin that Pfizer discovered soon after the Pharmacia merger, Pfizer said. No criminal charges will be filed against Pharmacia in exchange for compliance with terms of the agreement.