AG sues major drugmaker for false advertising
By Adam Klawonn/ November 18, 2008
TUCSON — Pfizer misrepresented the risks associated with one of its products and recruited doctors to promote it in order to reap up to $4 billion in sales, a recent lawsuit claims.
The Arizona Attorney General filed a 15-page court complaint recently that alleges New York-based Pfizer Inc. repeatedly deceived consumers to pump up sales of Bextra, which the FDA approved for treatment of arthritis and menstrual pains.
Specifically, the complaint in Pima County Superior Court claims that Pfizer:
- Withheld studies that showed safety risks,
- Deployed an enormous sales staff to promote Bextra’s “off-label” uses,
- Gave improper gifts to physicians in return for their help marketing the product.
Lawyers for state Attorney General Terry Goddard claim the deceptions began in 2001 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to approve Bextra for all of the “off-label” uses Pfizer was counting on to make Bextra a financial “blockbuster,” the complaint states. It has since settled with the federal government for almost $900 million.
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