Boehringer Ingelheim Settles False Claims Act Allegations

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Connecticut based pharmaceutical manufacturer, has reached an agreement with the US Government to pay $95 million to resolve allegations relating to the unlawful marketing of three different drugs.

Aggrenox, a stroke-prevention drug, Combivent, a COPD drug and Micardis, a hypertension drug, were all involved in the settlement which alleged that Boehringer improperly marketed these drugs thus causing false claims to be submitted to the government’s health care programs.

No Low Price Guarantee for Uncle Sam

A whistleblower suit alleging that office supply giant, Office Depot, was fraudulently overcharging the government for supplies such as pens, ink, furniture and other miscellaneous goods was unsealed late last month.  The case claims that the company overcharged government agencies in San Diego County and throughout California under a series of office supply contracts.

New York City Department Of Education Charged With Fraudulently Billing Medicaid In Excess Of $2 Million

A complaint was filed under the Qui Tam Whistleblower Provisions of the Federal False Claims Act alleging that the New York City Department of Education billed Medicaid for Psychological Services given to Special Education students.  The government, specifically the US Attorney for the Eastern District, Loretta E. Lynch, announced that the US Government will intervene in this matter.

OIG Targets Part D Coupon Kickbacks, PBM Oversight

Federal officials will investigate this year the safeguards pharmaceutical companies have in place to keep Medicare Part D beneficiaries from using manufacturers’ coupons to pay copayments for their prescriptions, according to a recent report.

The project is one of several new Part D-related initiatives that the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Inspector General announced in its fiscal year 2013 Work Plan.

USDOJ Sues Jacintoport International Alleging False Claims Act Violations

On October 19, 2012, the United States Department of Justice filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Jacintoport International LLC in connection with a government contract.  Jacintoport is a cargo handling and stevedoring firm headquartered in Houston, TX.  Jacintoport entered into a contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2007 for the storage and redelivery of humanitarian food aid.

SEC Targets Informant Retaliation

Companies that retaliate against whistleblowers may have to answer to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sean McKessy, chief of the SEC’s Whistleblower Office said last week that his office is “actively on the lookout…for some of the more aggressive” treatment of whistleblowers, according to BNA.  McKessy said the SEC is “paying a lot of attention to” employment and severance agreements that might discourage whistleblowers from coming forward.

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