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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Pfizer, Inc.

Illegal Marketing of Genotropin

Date: 04/02/2007 (Date of Announcement)

Misconduct Type: Health

Enforcement Agency: Multiple Agencies

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Criminal

Amount: $34,700,000

Disposition: Pleaded Guilty

Synopsis: In 2007, Pfizer subsidiaries Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Inc., and Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, LLC paid $34.7 million to resolve charges stemming from the off-label marketing of Genotropin — a human growth hormone medicine — and the inappropriate use of a vendor contract to increase the sales of other Pharmacia medicines. Both settlements cover activities that occurred at Pharmacia before that company was acquired by Pfizer in 2003. Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. also pleaded guilty to a single count of offering to an outside vendor remuneration in the form of an award of a contract to manage a Genotropin patient assistance program as an inducement for recommending the purchase of Pharmacia medicines. Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the Department of Justice.