Idaho Joins Parade Of States Suing Lilly
5 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // September 3rd, 2008 // 3:24 pm
The Gem State is the latest to sue the drugmaker over allegations that its Zyprexa antipsychotic was improperly marketed, costing the state’s Medicaid program untold sums of money, according to The Idaho Statesman.
The Idaho lawsuit contends Lilly illegally marketed Zyprexa for uses not approved by the FDA and that marketing efforts directed at doctors encouraged them to prescribe the pill for “anxiety, phobic disorders, neurotic depression, affective personality disorder, sleep disorder, depression, attention deficit disorder, insomnia and separation anxiety,” according to the lawsuit, the paper writes.
Numerous states have filed similar suits against Lilly or are holding talks, although so far, only Alaska has reached a settlement last March, which amounted to $15 million. The drugmaker also faces a large number of lawsuits in federal court in New York that was brought by unions, third-party payers and others who made similar charges (background).
A Lilly spokeswoman denied the drugmaker improperly marketed Zyprexa and that warnings were issued that the drug can cause diabetes and weight gain, so Idaho officials shouldn’t have surprised. She added that Lilly didn’t endorse Zyprexa for any unapproved usage, but that many mental-health conditions are difficult to treat, and doctors may try Zyprexa to help patients find relief.
About 10,000 Medicaid patients in Idaho have been prescribed Zyprexa. Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange tells the paper he doesn’t how much the drug cost taxpayers through the Medicaid program or how much Medicaid money has been spent to treat diabetes, obesity and other health problems he said are side effects of Zyprexa.
“It’s not just the cost of the drug” that concerns Idaho officials, he tells the Stateman. “It’s the effects of the drug, the long-term treatment for people who are diabetic or severely obese now.”
Dan A.
I’m not sure how Lilly can deny improper marketing when documents exist that were previously sealed that clearly illustrate thier improper marketing techniques, and how they were implemented, on a national level.
About half of the U.S. has individual whistleblower procedures in place (False Claims Act/Qui Tam)
Dan A.
Half of the states, that is.
Perry
The wrath of AGs shall rain down upon the vile ones. :)
Except perhaps the AG’s who are not suing but are secretly negotiating with Lilly over the maiming caused by Zyprexa.
$1 billion possible settlement was reported earlier. Is that enough - nah! One billion is not enough to stop them from killing others.
Daniel Haszard
Zyprexa off label promotion scandal is all over the news now.
Lilly drug reps are alleged to have called their marketing ploy,”Viva zyprexa”.
Eli Lilly zyprexa cost me over $250.00 a month supply out of my own pocket X 4 years and has up to ten times the risk (over non users) of causing diabetes and severe weight gain.
In 2004, the American Diabetes Association found that Zyprexa was more likely to cause diabetes than many other antipsychotic drugs.
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Daniel Haszard
Frank
I have suffered the injustice brought on by this crap for medicene. In only eight months I gained over 150 lbs and now suffer from hypoglycemia. I am expecting to hear an offer in my case soon, which I would gladly trade for a chance to beat the snot out of everyone involved in this scam!