US Army Probes Pharma Payments To Military Docs
9 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // June 20th, 2011 // 8:44 am
In the wake of a recent settlement between Novo Nordisk and the US Department of Justice over charges the drugmaker illegally promoted its hemophilia drug to both civilian and military physicians, the US Army has reopened its own investigation into the episode and will now widen that effort to include “a systematic review of honoraria in the medical research environment.”
An Army spokeswoman declined to provide more specific information, such as which drug and device makers may be examined as part of the probe or which Army locations the review will encompass. However, one source familiar with the probe tells us the investigation extends beyond the Institute of Surgical Research, which is based in Fort Sam Houston, where one military physician was located before filing a whistleblower lawsuit.
The lawsuit, which was jointly filed by a a former Novo Nordisk medical liasion, charged that that Novo Nordisk improperly promoted its NovoSeven medication for such unapproved uses such as blood trauma, intercranial hemorrhage and various surgeries and that payments were made to various military personnel (here is the lawsuit).
The drugmaker allegedly provided unrestricted grant funds, speakers fees and other kickbacks to encourage doctors to publicly support the use of the medication in trauma units to control bleeding among patients who were not hemophiliacs. Novo Nordisk also allegedly funneled money through non-profits to hide indirect payments made as educational grants.
According to attorneys for Ian Black, a former US Armed Forces physician who also filed suit, he became uncomfortable when he saw how frequent NovoSeven was used while serving in a combat hospital in Iraq as an anesthesiologist. The drug was also widely used in Afghanistan and was eventually incorporated into Army protocols, which are called clinical practice guidelines. At that point, Novo Nordisk began to use this as a selling point to civilian physicians for use in trauma units in the US.
To settle the case, Novo Nordisk agreed to pay $25 million and signed a Corporate Integrity Agreement
The Army, meanwhile, had been assisting the DOJ, which had joined the whistleblower lawsuit, and it Medical Research and Materiel Command had uncovered info indicating Novo Nordisk was “potentially” targeting federal employees for improper marketing and influence, according to a statement sent us by the Army spokeswoman. That was in July 2010.
At that point, the Army began what it calls an AR 15-6 investigation to determine “whether fiscal law or procurement integrity violation occurred.” But that was suspended the following month, pending the outcome of the DOJ investigation. Now, though, the Army Surgeon General and Commanding General United States Army Medical Command, has reopened the investigation. The probe was first reported by The San Antonio Express.
Larry Bone
I think the probe should be expanded to include the makers of aantidepressents and antipsychotics paying off military doctors.
Bruce Wayne
I agree with Larry and expand it way beyond that too. Common crooked bahvior and folks getting checks sent to their home addresses to hide it from others as they changes treatment recommendations for Novo drugs and other meds. Is it any wonder that spending has gotten the best of the Veteran Administration and the Military for medications when this stuff goes down?
Robert Walsh
I think the Baltimore Sun had covered the use of clotting factors in combat hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan a few years ago, and even mentioned some of the complications occurring after the casualties were medevac’ed back the rear.
I was surprised to read about it, as I would not have thought that this was an appropriate use for clotting factors, at least without extensive trials.
John Remo
It is great that these bad ethics have come to light.
I am no military law expert, but I would think any serving military officer who took or hid these emoluments, which really amount to kickbacks, should be given administrative punishment or courts marshal. No winking. Throw them out of the military, which they disgrace by their improper behavior.
Civil servants doing comparable things should receive comparable punishment, including criminal prosecution.
Doc
They need to review monies from pharma that have gone through the Henry Jackson Foundation to military doctors and for programs done in military healthcare facilities.
Stefan
Agree with Doc. Henry Jackson Foundation is just a pass through for pharma companies.
Bruce Wayne
Why has there been a “pass” given to miltary type fraud within the VA and DOD ? Is there something everyone is missing here? Decisions need to be made impartially and those who are on the take need to be face a tribunal.
Ben Hansen
The investigation should definitely be expanded to include doctors who routinely prescribe Klonopin, Paxil and Seroquel.
See “Are Veterans Being Given Deadly Cocktails to Treat PTSD?”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2478907/posts
Frank
when things like this are uncovered, prosecuted & if found guilty, that Comp’s patent for that product should be revoked. How many more people have to have damage done to their systems or even die because of these unethical Pharma companies?