Feds Probe Novo Nordisk For Marketing Practices
2 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // February 16th, 2011 // 8:27 am
Another day, another subpoena. This time around, Novo Nordisk has received a subpoena from the US Attorney in Boston for “potential criminal offenses.” Specifically, the feds are interested in the way Novo Nordisk marketed and promoted three diabetes meds - NovoLog, Levemir and Victoza, according to a statement from the drugmaker.
The disclosure comes less than a month after the drugmaker confirmed it would appeal a recent fine worth about $2.9 million levied by Russia’s Federal Antitrust Service for violating competition laws. Novo Nordisk allegedly refused to sign contracts with some customers without any justification and created discriminatory conditions for potential partners that may be anticompetitive (back story).
Salient point
This seems extremely unusual. Now the federal bar will be pitted against FDA, which was presumably exposed to these materials at first use (if not earlier), along with Novo Nordisk. It will be interesting to watch.
Common Sense
Will another one bite the dust? Oh yeah! Will another one bite the dust? On my!