Gilead Sciences has agreed to pay $202 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by using speaker programs to incentivize physicians to prescribe HIV medications.
Federal prosecutors alleged that the company offered payments, meals and travel expenses to healthcare providers who spoke at or attended events promoting Gilead’s HIV drugs, according to an April 29 news release from HHS’ Office of Inspector General.
The payments were also allegedly used to encourage physicians to write prescriptions, which resulted in false claims being submitted to federal healthcare programs, the release said.
Gilead admitted to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to prescribers to be speakers and hold programs at luxury restaurants. The $202 million settlement includes $176.9 million to be paid to the U.S. government and remainder to various states.
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