The world’s largest drug maker, Pfizer, has been ordered to pay a civil and criminal penalty of $2.3 billion over illegal promotions for four different drugs.
The record pharmaceutical malpractice settlement includes a $1.2 billion criminal fine as well as another $1 billion to compensate federal health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.Our firm’s San Diego personal injury lawyers warn all consumers that there are hundreds of dangerous drugs on the market that may be prescribed for the wrong reasons due to pharmaceutical malpractice. Drugs taken by people they aren’t meant for pose a serious threat to those that use them.
Bextra is one of four prescription drugs made by the Pfizer Corporation that were prescribed incorrectly.
Prescription drugs have different effects on the human body, so no one can ever know for sure. A drug incorrectly prescribed for one condition can cause a whole new condition that could be worse than what a person already has. In extreme cases, drugs taken for the wrong reasons can cause wrongful death because of drug effects on the kidneys and heart.
Prescribing drugs for “off-label” medical reasons isn’t uncommon, but drug makers are not allowed to market drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Combating health care fraud is one of this administration’s top priorities,” Associate Attorney General Thomas Perelli said when the Justice Department announced the settlement on September 2, 2009.
The four drugs in question are Bextra, a pain killer, Geodon, an anti-psychotic, Zyvox, an antibiotic, and Lyrica, an anti-epileptic.
The personal injury attorneys at our San Diego firm know that prescription drugs can be dangerous enough even if they are assigned correctly. When they are incorrectly prescribed, risk of horrible kidney diseases or wrongful death becomes greater.
Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney and find out how we can help you. We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case. No fee if no recovery.
Related posts:
- Settlement Paid In Zyprexa Pharmaceutical Malpractice Lawsuit
- $6.8 Million Pharmaceutical Malpractice Settlement Awarded Against Baxter
- Products Liability Lawsuit Against Pfizer Dropped By Family
Tags: Bextra, dangerous drugs, Geodon, Lyrica, pharmaceutical malpractice, Zyvox
