The lawsuit alleges Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based Avanir bribed physicians to prescribe Nuedexta, approved to treat a condition that causes uncontrollable laughing and crying.
At the same time, two Ohio physicians were indicted for allegedly accepting bribes such as money, office equipment and firearms training in exchange for writing Nuedexta prescriptions for patients who did not need it.
The U.S. Justice Department also indicted two former Avanir sales representatives for allegedly providing the bribes, according to STAT.
The lawsuit also alleges Avanir capitalized on efforts by Medicare and Medicaid to reduce the use of antipsychotics in nursing home dementia patients by claiming Nuedexta could reduce dependence on antipsychotics, though no data exists to prove that claim.
The Justice Department alleged the scheme took place from 2010 to 2016.
Read the full article here.
More articles on pharmacy:
World Pharmacist Day promotes use of safe and effective medicines
USP delays release of updated compounding standards
Americans pay up to 67 times more for drugs than other countries.
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
