Big Pharma Takes A Big Hit

Endo Health and its subsidiary Endo Pharmaceuticals will pay $192 million to settle false claims act after whistleblower uncovered off-label marketing of Lidoderm. The FDA only approved Lidoderm for treatment of a complication of shingles. The company required its sales staff to market the drug for unapproved ailments including low-back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The improper marketing caused physicians to write prescriptions covered by Medicare and Medicaid.