In this week’s edition, The New Scientist adds a bit of perspective to what Associate U.S. Attorney-General Thomas Perelli called ”the largest criminal fine in history,” leveled against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Pfizer was charged with illegally marketing drugs for “off-label” purposes, treatments for which the drugs had not been tested and granted FDA approval.
By any standard, the $2.3 billion sum that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will pay to settle charges of improper drug promotion is big. But will it change anything?
Doctors can prescribe medications in situations other than those approved by drug regulators, but drug firms in the U.S. are not allowed to promote these “off-label” uses.
The payout settles claims by whistleblowers and the U.S. government that Pfizer broke these rules for a range of drugs including the painkiller Bextra, pulled from the market in 2005 because of evidence suggesting it might increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The sum represents less than three weeks of sales for Pfizer, based on 2008 figures …
Less than three weeks of sales.
Shame, Pfizer! Go to your room.
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