Pfizer Settles Again...
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Today, the New York Times reported on Pfizer's $2.3 billion settlement payout over allegations that it conducted illegal marketing of Bextra, a painkiller that was taken off the market in 2005. This settlement is the largest health care fraud and criminal fine payout to date.
Since 2002, Pfizer has paid out settlements four times over allegations of illegal marketing activities. A large factor contributing to the high amount of this settlement figure was Pfizer's repeated misconduct over the years. Despite the fact that this may be the largest settlement sum of its kind, the $2.3 billion amount equals less than three weeks of Pfizer sales. This prompts one to wonder whether such a high amount targeted at addressing Pfizer's recidivism will actually have any effect whatsoever on Pfizer's behavior in the future.
John Kopchinski was the former Pfizer sales representative who initiated the complaint that prompted the government to investigate allegations surrounding Bextra.
"The whole culture of Pfizer is driven by sales, and if you didn’t sell drugs illegally, you were not seen as a team player,” said Mr. Kopchinski, whose personal share of the Pfizer settlement is expected to exceed $50 million. Mr. Kopchinski left Pfizer in 2003.
Bextra, approved by the FDA in 2001 to treat arthritis and menstrual cramps, was marketed by Pfizer for the treatment of acute pain. This, despite the fact that it wasn't proved to be any more powerful than Ibuprofen and the side effects with increased doses were great. Pfizer urged its sales representatives to tell doctors to use Bextra to treat acute pain and surgical pain at high doses that were not FDA approved. Pfizer held weekend getaways to resort locations for doctors to promote their drugs, paying all the attendees' expenses.