Johnson & Johnson has reportedly agreed to settle a federal probe by the US Department of Justice for $2.2 billion, nearly the same amount as Pfizer paid in 2009 for similar false marketing allegations. Both drug makers have been subject to federal investigations concerning allegedly false marketing of drugs. In the case of Johnson & Johnson, the probe targeted Risperdal, the company’s antipsychotic drug. The deal would end an 8-year investigation into the company’s marketing practices.
According to a report in the Business Journal, “It would include a criminal penalty of as much as $600 million, as well as a misdemeanor plea, according to a Bloomberg report quoting unnamed sources. The deal would also resolve civil claims against J&J, alleging kickbacks to Omnicare Inc. (NYSE: OCR), a health care services company that dispenses drugs in nursing homes.”