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Federal Contractor Misconduct Database (FCMD)
The federal government routinely awards contracts to companies with
histories of misconduct, including
…
contract fraud and other
violations. POGO believes that providing this website will help to
improve contracting decisions and increase public knowledge of how
the government spends billions of taxpayer dollars each year.
Read more…
Neurontin Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation
In March 2010, a federal jury determined that Pfizer violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by promoting its epilepsy drug Neurontin (manufactured by Warner-Lambert Company, which Pfizer acquired in 2000) for unapproved uses and imposed $47.4 million in damages (tripled to $142.1 million under RICO). The lawsuit alleged that Pfizer knowingly marketed Neurontin as an effective treatment for neuropathic pain, migraines, and bipolar disorder without proof of its efficacy. In November 2010, the court found Pfizer also liable under the California Unfair Competition Law and ordered Pfizer to pay $95.3 million in restitution, but because this figure reflected the same damage claims encompassed by the jury verdict on the RICO claim, the court did not add it to the jury award. In May 2014, Pfizer paid $325 million to settle claims in the same matter filed by third-party payers (insurers and other healthcare benefit providers) who bought or reimbursed patients for the purchase of Neurontin. See related Pfizer instance, “Illegal Marketing of Neurontin”.
- Misconduct Type
- Health
- Enforcement Agency
- Non-Governmental
- Contracting Party
- None
- Court Type
- Civil
- Disposition
- Judgment Against Defendant
- Date of Final Judgment
- 11/3/2010
Contractors Involved |
Penalty |
Total |
|
Pfizer, Inc. |
$467,089,276
|