
Pfizer Settles Off-Label Promotion Charges
Pfizer has agreed to pay $55 million plus interest to settle charges that Wyeth (acquired by Pfizer in October, 2009) improperly promoted the drug Protonix (pantoprazole).
Pfizer has agreed to pay $55 million plus interest to settle charges that Wyeth (acquired by Pfizer in October 2009) improperly promoted the drug Protonix (pantoprazole). Protonix is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat forms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It was approved for short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis, a condition that could only be diagnosed using endoscopy. The US Department of Justice, however contends that Wyeth promoted Protonix for treatment of all forms of GERD, including more common forms that could be diagnosed without endoscopy.
According to the Justice Department’s
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only. Pfizer denies these allegations, and there has been no determination of liability. Since August 2009, Pfizer has been under a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, which agreement remains in effect.
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