After long-running litigation, Allergan agreed to pay $13 million to the federal government and 19 states to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit alleging the drug maker engaged in a kickback scheme to boost prescriptions of a best-selling eye medicine.
The lawsuit was filed in 2009 by two ophthalmologists, who alleged the company offered various business services — such as financial analysis, human resources training, and billing advice — to eye doctors and optometrists who prescribed Allergan medicines. Notably, this included the Restasis dry eye treatment. Most of the services were provided for free, the lawsuit stated.
Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!
GET STARTEDWhat is it?
STAT+ is STAT's premium subscription service for in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis. Our award-winning team covers news on Wall Street, policy developments in Washington, early science breakthroughs and clinical trial results, and health care disruption in Silicon Valley and beyond.
What's included?
- Daily reporting and analysis
- The most comprehensive industry coverage from a powerhouse team of reporters
- Subscriber-only newsletters
- Daily newsletters to brief you on the most important industry news of the day
- STAT+ Conversations
- Weekly opportunities to engage with our reporters and leading industry experts in live video conversations
- Exclusive industry events
- Premium access to subscriber-only networking events around the country
- The best reporters in the industry
- The most trusted and well-connected newsroom in the health care industry
- And much more
- Exclusive interviews with industry leaders, profiles, and premium tools, like our CRISPR Trackr.
About the Author Reprints
