Increase use of Risperdal. Johnson & Johnson has been charged with paying kickbacks to the Omnicare nursing home chain in order to increase the use of its drugs at the chain’s homes. While Johnson & Johnson was allegedly paying kickbacks, federal prosecutors claim that Omnicare’s annual purchases of the company’s drugs, including Risperdal and Levaquin, nearly tripled to more than $280 million.
In November, Omnicare agreed to pay $98 million to settle charges related to the alleged Johnson & Johnson kickback scheme. As part of the settlement, Omnicare entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to allegations contained in a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorneys office in Boston
According to allegations contained in a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorneys office in Boston, from 1999 to 2004 Johnson & Johnson paid kickbacks to Omnicare in a variety of forms, including rebates, grants and educational funding.
The claims against Johnson & Johnson were initiated by whistleblowers who could receive a share of any money the government collects.
The complaint charges that Johnson & Johnson was aware that Omnicare pharmacists made recommendations to physicians about what drugs should be prescribed to home residents.
The complaint repeatedly mentions internal Johnson & Johnson e-mails and statements detailing the relationship with Omnicare. The government claims that those documents show that Johnson & Johnson came to see Omnicare pharmacists as an extension of its sales force.
Prosecutors allege that Johnson & Johnson’s conduct caused false or fraudulent claims to be filed with Medicaid, the public health program for the poor and disabled.
Need Legal Help Regarding Risperdal?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation
