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LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

GSK to Pay $3 Billion to Settle Criminal Charges on Avandia, Paxil and Wellbutrin

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Washington, DCIn what is being touted as the largest case of healthcare fraud in US history, GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) is pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges and will pay $3 billion in settlement of those charges relating to its drugs Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Avandia.

According to allegations by the US Justice Department, GSK marketed the antidepressant drugPaxil for off-label use to patients under the age of 18, and marketed both Paxil and Wellbutrin for weight loss and treatment of sexual dysfunction, both indications that neither drug is approved for.

The company went to extreme lengths to promote the drugs, such as distributing a misleading medical journal article and providing doctors with meals and spa treatments that amounted to illegal kickbacks, prosecutors said.

Reuters News reports that GSK is also charged with failing to provide the US Food and Drug Administration with safety data about its diabetes drug Avandia, which is in violation of US law.

GSK engaged in these activities from the 1990s through to 2007, and each of the three violations associated with the three drugs carries a misdemeanor criminal charge.

The agreement between GSK and the US Justice Department "is unprecedented in both size and scope," said James Cole, the No. 2 official at the U.S. Justice Department. He called the action "historic" and "a clear warning to any company that chooses to break the law." The settlement includes $1 billion in criminal fines and $2 billion in civil fines.

Additionally, GSK has agreed to strict oversight of its sales force by the US government in an effort to prevent the use of kickbacks or other prohibited practices.

READ ABOUT paxil avandia LAWSUITS

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I was given wellbutrin for weight loss and once again to help stop smoking.

Posted by

on
I was given Imitrex and Cipro and resulted in a serious permanent injury which is hemiplegia paralysis/ischemic stroke due to both of these drugs which is unconsciousness, respiratory depression and cerebral hypoxia...very dangerous drugs to have! so whoever was taken this drugs or has been prescribed..unless it helped just beware you DO NOT WANT TO BE IN MY SITUATION!...really it changed my LIFE FOREVER and doctors got away from that for good! But I believe in the Bible. What goes around comes around. That is KARMA. If you really don't care how to treat a human being as a patient, then it will come back to you sooner or later. I said these for EVERYONE so that they will become aware of these two dangerous drugs! BAD DRUGS!

Posted by

on
I was prescribed paxil in 1990 and had a child in 1992 being told it was safe. My daughter has a learning disability, and poor vision, while my earlier 3 children are fine. I have tried several times to get off this drug, and the withdrawl is horrible. I remain on this medication, due to the horrible with draws of trying to come off.

Posted by

on
A few years back my Dr had me taking Avandia for control of Type 2 diabetis.

December 16th of 2011 i had to have a stint put in.

June 11th 2012 had another angiogram due to chest pain.
the result of the most current procedue is problem with vessels on left side of heart.

I have no prior history of heart problems in my family. I am a resident of Texas.

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