>Lipitor Qui Tam
Date Filed: November 15, 2006
Court: U.S. District Court
Location: New York
Ticker Symbol: PFE
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the world's largest drug manufacturer, Pfizer, claiming the company illegally boosted sales of its most successful drug, Lipitor, through a scheme designed to convince physicians to prescribe the drug for unapproved, off-label use through it's marketing and promotional materials including 'education programs.'
The plaintiff, who once served as the company's director of outcome management strategies, was fired after he claims he called into question the company's marketing tactics.
The lawsuit alleges Pfizer produced and distributed material for off-label uses, without FDA approval, in an effort to expand its market and profits. These materials are alleged to have provided false and misleading information about the authoritative NCEP cholesterol guidelines. Among the list of alleged violations includes hosting continuing medical education events for physicians, including dinner and valet service, which essentially served as a sales pitch for unapproved, off-label uses of the drug. The suit alleges these educational programs deliberately misrepresented the drug's label to encourage Lipitor therapy for people in the moderate-risk category who didn't need the drug.
To date Lipitor is the most successful prescription drug worldwide with sales last year of $13.6 billion.
To view a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about the lawsuit click here.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
January 9, 2008- Today the court allowed HBSS to file a third amended complaint in the Polansky v. Pfizer case. The amended complaint provides more detail and additional clarity about the allegations that Pfizer used an orchestrated campaign to increase the of off-label use of Lipitor. To view the complaint, click here.
Court: U.S. District Court
Location: New York
Ticker Symbol: PFE
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the world's largest drug manufacturer, Pfizer, claiming the company illegally boosted sales of its most successful drug, Lipitor, through a scheme designed to convince physicians to prescribe the drug for unapproved, off-label use through it's marketing and promotional materials including 'education programs.'
The plaintiff, who once served as the company's director of outcome management strategies, was fired after he claims he called into question the company's marketing tactics.
The lawsuit alleges Pfizer produced and distributed material for off-label uses, without FDA approval, in an effort to expand its market and profits. These materials are alleged to have provided false and misleading information about the authoritative NCEP cholesterol guidelines. Among the list of alleged violations includes hosting continuing medical education events for physicians, including dinner and valet service, which essentially served as a sales pitch for unapproved, off-label uses of the drug. The suit alleges these educational programs deliberately misrepresented the drug's label to encourage Lipitor therapy for people in the moderate-risk category who didn't need the drug.
To date Lipitor is the most successful prescription drug worldwide with sales last year of $13.6 billion.
To view a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about the lawsuit click here.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
January 9, 2008- Today the court allowed HBSS to file a third amended complaint in the Polansky v. Pfizer case. The amended complaint provides more detail and additional clarity about the allegations that Pfizer used an orchestrated campaign to increase the of off-label use of Lipitor. To view the complaint, click here.
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Related Documents
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Filed Complaint |
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Third Amended Complaint |
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Declaration in Support of Motion for Leave |
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Notice of Motion for Leave |
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WSJ Health Blog |
Cases and Investigations
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