Eli Lilly Slapped for Off-Label Drug Use

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http://www.mercola.com/2006/jan/7/eli_lilly_slapped_for_off-label_drug_use.htm

 

Eli Lilly Slapped for Off-Label Drug Use

 

 

Drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. has agreed to pay a $36-million

settlement after pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge that

it promoted off-label use of its osteoporosis drug Evista.

 

A Department of Justice investigation found that, in 1998, Lilly sales

representatives promoted Evista as a useful drug for preventing and

reducing the risk of breast cancer and reducing the risk of heart

disease. However, neither use has been approved by the Food and Drug

Administration.

 

Though doctors may prescribe drugs for off-label uses, drug makers may

not market them for unapproved uses.

 

A $6-Million Criminal Fine

 

A federal judge must approve the plea agreement, which includes a:

 

* $6-million criminal fine

* $6-million forfeiture to the government

* Payment of $24 million to settle civil action

 

In addition, the settlement includes a permanent injunction and a

consent decree in which Lilly promises not to use marketing and

promotion practices that violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

 

Off-Label Use Promoted to " Expand Sales "

 

The Department of Justice reported that Lilly promoted Evista for the

two off-label uses " to expand sales of the drug. "

 

Lilly had forecasted sales of $401 million for Evista, however,

first-year Evista sales amounted to only $120 million.

 

San Francisco Chronicle December 21, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Another shinning example of the amazing corruption that exists in the

corporate drug world. You need to understand that any corporation's

primary and essential responsibility is to their shareholders -- NOT

to you.

 

Unfortunately, most don't realize that it is VERY short sighted to

kill and permanently disable and cripple consumers for profits. Drug

companies have accumulated so much wealth, power and government

influence that they have been able to largely escape the consequences.

 

However, what they hadn't anticipated or planned for was the freedom

and liberation that the Internet provides in exposing their corrupt plans.

 

I warned you about Eli Lilly's osteoporosis drug Evista being

illegally promoted for treating heart disease back in 2002.

 

It's good to hear that the Justice Department is finally cracking down

on Lilly for this deceptive marketing, but, in reality, the punishment

is not likely to make a difference.

 

The $36 million that Lilly agreed to pay is merely " chump change " as

well as " reasonable " and " affordable " for this multi-national

corporation as one portfolio analyst said in the article.

 

The truth of the matter is this: The drug companies will stop at

nothing to sell their products when billions of dollars are at stake.

 

They are out to make a profit so enticing doctors to prescribe their

drugs for as many uses as possible, regardless of whether or not they

have scientific evidence to back them up, will only allow them to sell

more drugs and make more money.

 

Lilly is certainly not alone in this process. Off-label drug use is

commonplace. In the UK, for instance, when a " suitable alternative "

did not exist, off-label drugs were used in:

 

* 90 percent of babies in neonatal intensive care units

* 70 percent of children in pediatric intensive care units

* Two-thirds of children on general medical and surgical pediatric

ward

 

The only way to surely avoid problems from taking drugs for unapproved

uses (aren't there already enough problems taking them for approved

uses?!) is to limit and avoid as much as possible your use of drugs.

 

Play it safe: Make sure all prescriptions you and your children take

are absolutely necessary.

 

Related Articles:

 

Major Drug Company Illegally Pushes Off-Label Drug Use

 

Drug Company Tells Staff Not to Reveal Paxil's Ineffectiveness

 

Drug Companies Still Make Bundle Even When They Admit They Lie