The New York Times reports on what would be the largest fine ever paid by a drug company for violating laws on how drug makers can promote their medicines. It involves Eli Lilly's marketing of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa.
Excerpts:
"Zyprexa has serious side effects and is approved only to treat people with schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder. But documents from Eli Lilly show that from 2000 to 2003 the company encouraged doctors to prescribe Zyprexa to people with age-related dementia, as well as people with mild bipolar disorder who had previously had a diagnosis of depression.Posted by schwitz at February 2, 2008 09:41 AM | TrackBackAlthough doctors can prescribe drugs for any use once they are on the market, it is illegal for drug makers to promote their medicines for any uses not formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration. ...
Zyprexa is Lilly’s most profitable product and among the world’s best-selling medicines, with 2007 sales of $4.8 billion, about half in the United States."