Sunday, May 2, 2010

Record Drug Fine

I simply couldn't let the news of a record fine by the FDA pass without at least a mention. AstraZeneca agreed to pay $520 million in fines over its illegal marketing of the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel. The FDA approved the drug only for short-term treatment of acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder.

The company marketed the drug for unapproved uses aggressively including paying doctors to "advise" on how to market the drug for other uses. It then billed the government for the drug even though it was not approved for the condition.

The company agreed to pay the record fine without admitting wrongdoing saying it's best to move forward.

Isn't it amazing how the drug companies that say complementary and alternative medicine isn't properly tested or researched have no problem selling their prescription drugs for anything under the sun so long as it makes them a buck?

No comments: