Whistleblower

GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline from 1999 – 2010, settled a suit for $3 billion that charged the company with off-label

marketing of six different drugs during this time period. Not only were they charged with this, but also

offering financial advantages to doctors in violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C.

§1320-7b that prescribed these and incentives to managers and sales people to push these drugs on the

market. The drugs were Wellbutrin, Advair, Lamictal, Zofran, Imitrex, and Valtrex.

Wellbutrin, an antidepressant prescription that Glaxo from 1999-2003 knowingly promoted for weight

loss, treatment for obesity, and sexual dysfunction, as well as at higher doses than approved safe by the

FDA. Some of which went through the Medicaid program. They made false and misleading statements

as to its safety and effectiveness and offered and paid illegally healthcare professionals to promote and

prescribe Wellbutrin. These were fraudulent claims.

Advair, used to prevent asthma attacks and to prevent flare-ups from chronic bronchitis and

emphysema. Between 2001 and 2010, Glaxo again promoted the use of Advair for other conditions and

for higher doses than for those that were approved by the FDA as safe and effective. They knowingly

caused fraudulent claims to be submitted to many federal health care programs including Medicare and

Medicaid.

Lamictal, an anticonvulsant was purposefully promoted for sale and use from 1999-2003 as other than

approved by the FDA. Such uses included treatment for bi-polar disorders, neuropathic pain, and various

mental diseases. Again fraudulent claims to government programs as well as misleading representation

and kickbacks to doctors to promote and prescribe.

Zofran, prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting caused by surgery or medicine in the treatment of

cancer were prescribed between 2002 and 2004 to be effective for hyperemesis, extreme nausea during

pregnancy. This too was not approved of by the FDA...