Abbott in Discussions to Settle Depakote Marketing Charges
Date Published: Friday, June 3rd, 2011
Abbott Laboratories is said to be in talks with federal prosecutors over allegations that it illegally marketed Depakote.
On May 20, the U.S. Department of Justice told a federal judge that it was discussing settlement of Depakote claims with the pharmaceutical company and asked to postpone upcoming court deadlines so that the discussions could persist.
The government has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company, claiming it tried to promote the drug for the off-label treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It also claims that Abbot tried to market the drug for use as a chemical restraint for elderly patients who become agitated or aggressive, which is often considered a form of nursing home abuse.
Depakote is an anti-seizure drug approved by FDA in 1983 for the treatment of epilepsy. It belongs to a class of drugs based on valproate; which includes Depacon, Stavzor, and the first drug in the class, Depakene, which was first approved in 1978. It is also frequently used to treat bipolar disorder and depression.
While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe approved medications for non-approved uses, it is illegal for drug companies to promote or encourage such uses. Depakote is not approved for treatment of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
This entry was posted on Friday, June 3rd, 2011 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
Abbott in Discussions to Settle Depakote Marketing Charges
Date Published: Friday, June 3rd, 2011
Abbott Laboratories is said to be in talks with federal prosecutors over allegations that it illegally marketed Depakote.
On May 20, the U.S. Department of Justice told a federal judge that it was discussing settlement of Depakote claims with the pharmaceutical company and asked to postpone upcoming court deadlines so that the discussions could persist.
The government has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company, claiming it tried to promote the drug for the off-label treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It also claims that Abbot tried to market the drug for use as a chemical restraint for elderly patients who become agitated or aggressive, which is often considered a form of nursing home abuse.
Depakote is an anti-seizure drug approved by FDA in 1983 for the treatment of epilepsy. It belongs to a class of drugs based on valproate; which includes Depacon, Stavzor, and the first drug in the class, Depakene, which was first approved in 1978. It is also frequently used to treat bipolar disorder and depression.
While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe approved medications for non-approved uses, it is illegal for drug companies to promote or encourage such uses. Depakote is not approved for treatment of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
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