A lawsuit filed by California’s insurance commissioner alleges that AbbVie paid illegal kickbacks to push its blockbuster drug Humira. The suit claims the drugmaker used nurse “ambassadors” to work with patients on behalf of doctors who prescribed Humira while downplaying the drug’s side effects and risks. (MarketWatch)
The opioid crisis has become a dominant midterm campaign theme. More than 50,000 political ads focused on opioids have aired in 25 states this year, according to Kantar data. Four years ago, just one state, Kentucky, had political ads mentioning the opioid epidemic. (Wall Street Journal)
GlaxoSmithKline has hired Chris Corsico, former chief medical officer at Boehringer Ingelheim. Corsico will serve in the new role of head of drug development. GSK is creating a new structure for its R&D function, in which research and drug development are two distinct groups. (Endpoints)
Clovis Oncology and several former executives will pay a combined $20 million to settle charges of misleading investors. They had been accused of making misleading statements about a lung cancer drug in development and its effectiveness compared to another treatment in 2015. (STAT)
Athenahealth has extended its bid deadline by another 10 days after Elliott Management reportedly backed away from an offer. Media reports have speculated that Elliott may bid again at a lower price, or that a new late bidder may have entered the fray. (CNBC)
