GlaxoSmithKline to Pay $750 Million for Selling Contaminated Drugs

GlaxoSmithKline will pay a $750 million penalty to settle civil and criminal charges alleging it knowingly sold contaminated products, the New York Times reports.
The company sold 20 drugs with uncertain safety, including Avandia (rosiglitazone), Bactroban (mupirocin), Coreg (carvedilol), Paxil (paroxetine), and Tagamet (cimetidine).
Sent to a large Puerto Rico plant to fix problems cited by the FDA, a whistle-blower discovered contamination in the plant's water system and a faulty air system that permitted cross-contamination, according to the Times. In addition, the plant could not guarantee the sterility of intravenous cancer drugs, and different-strength pills were stored in the same bottles. The whistle-blower recommended drug recalls, but the company declined to issue them.
The company closed the plant in 2009.
New York Times story (Free)
GlaxoSmithKline news release (Free)

North Carolina Settles With Five Pharmaceutical Firms

The AP (10/21) reports, "North Carolina's Medicaid office and public schools are receiving millions of dollars after a settlement with five pharmaceutical companies over allegations the firms offered gifts or encouraged the use of certain drugs." HHS "announced agreements Wednesday with the five companies totaling $17.5 million," with $6 million going to the state. "The largest settlement surrounded allegations AstraZeneca encouraged the use of a drug approved for schizophrenia and bipolar depression to be used for other conditions such as dementia." North Carolina "also alleged Alpharma paid for trips for healthcare providers to resorts to encourage them to prescribe a morphine pain medication."

What You Need to Know About the DePuy Hip Implant Recall

AAJ Education's DePuy Hip Implant Recall Teleseminar, November 9, will teach you about symptoms of the hip implant failure, status of the class action and possible multidistrict litigation, and how FDA preemption and Riegel v. Medtronic affect your clients' claims. Numerous lawsuits have already been filed in state and federal court stemming from the August 2010 DePuy Hip Implant recall. Litigation will soon surge as victims of the medical device learn about the recall. For more information and to register, visit AAJ Education.