Arkansas to Receive $945k in Pfizer Settlement
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 12, 2012
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has reached a settlement with the State of Arkansas to resolve allegations that they unlawfully promoted the drugs Zyvox and Lyrica.
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel alleged that Pfizer violated state law by deceptively marketing both drugs to Arkansas medical providers. Pfizer is alleged to have made misleading and unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of Zyvox over a similar antibiotic. Moreover, McDaniel alleged that Pfizer illegally promoted Lyrica for off-label uses.
"Pharmaceutical companies are required to appropriately and legally promote their drugs to consumers," McDaniel said. "When they fail to do so, our office will pursue them for their violations and hold them accountable."
McDaniel filed a consent judgment in Pulaski County Circuit Court today to settle the claims against Pfizer.
Arkansas will receive $945,406 as its share of the settlement.
As a result of the consent judgment, Pfizer agreed to reform how it markets Zyvox and Lyrica. The pharmaceutical manufacturer is prohibited from making false, misleading or deceptive claims when comparing the effectiveness of Zyvox to the drug vancomycin, and it is also prohibited from promoting any Pfizer product for off-label uses.
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel alleged that Pfizer violated state law by deceptively marketing both drugs to Arkansas medical providers. Pfizer is alleged to have made misleading and unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of Zyvox over a similar antibiotic. Moreover, McDaniel alleged that Pfizer illegally promoted Lyrica for off-label uses.
"Pharmaceutical companies are required to appropriately and legally promote their drugs to consumers," McDaniel said. "When they fail to do so, our office will pursue them for their violations and hold them accountable."
McDaniel filed a consent judgment in Pulaski County Circuit Court today to settle the claims against Pfizer.
Arkansas will receive $945,406 as its share of the settlement.
As a result of the consent judgment, Pfizer agreed to reform how it markets Zyvox and Lyrica. The pharmaceutical manufacturer is prohibited from making false, misleading or deceptive claims when comparing the effectiveness of Zyvox to the drug vancomycin, and it is also prohibited from promoting any Pfizer product for off-label uses.
