Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Drug divorce government style


Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug maker, will pay a record $2.3 billion civil and criminal penalty over unlawful prescription drug promotions, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.



The government said the company promoted four prescription drugs, including the pain killer Bextra, as treatments for medical conditions different than those the drugs had been approved for by federal regulators.

Use of drugs for so-called "off-label" medical conditions is not uncommon, but drug manufacturers are prohibited from marketing drugs for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

A Pfizer subsidiary, Pharmacia and Upjohn Inc., which was acquired in 2003, has entered an agreement to plead guilty to one count of felony misbranding


Divorce is often described as "the screwing you get for the screwing you got" and I confess I find this to be like that.

First of all, if the people involved have broken the law, put'em in jail. Don't fine the corporations.

Why?

Because all the corporation will do is pass the $2.3 billion on to the people who must use their drugs. Just get ready. Look in your medicine cabinet and if your doctor has you using a drug manufactured by them the price is going to go up.

So who profits from these fines? The government. The same government who tells you they are concerned and worried about the cost of health care.

Sure. Uh-huh. You bet.

link to AP story and hat tip to TalkLeft

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