An article in The New York Times says that Lilly is considering a $1 billion
settlement of a four-year federal investigation into Zyprexa marketing, but the
company cast doubt on the Times'
reporting.
The settlement would be the largest ever for a federal case
involving illegal marketing practices by a pharmaceutical firm, the Times piece said. Lilly is alleged to have promoted the
drug, which is approved for treatment of schizophrenia and severe bipolar
disorder, for use in patients suffering from mild bipolar disorder and
age-related dementia.
In a statement, the company acknowledged receipt of a grand
jury subpoena from the Office of the US Attorney for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania seeking documents related to Zyprexa, but cautioned, “know that we
disagree with many speculative statements contained in the article in the Times.”
Lilly, the statement said, “is committed to promoting our
medications only for approved uses and consistent with all federal and state
laws. We disagree with any allegations or suggestions to the contrary.” The
firm is cooperating with state and federal investigations, the statement
continued, and as part of that, regularly has discussions with the government,
but has “no intention of sharing those discussions with the news media, and it
would be speculative and irresponsible for anyone to do so.”
The company has already set aside $1.2 billion to settle
lawsuits from patients claiming that the weight gain associated with the drug
caused them to develop diabetes or other ailments. Lilly has settled more than
25,000 claims related to Zyprexa. Another 1,100 remain unsettled.