PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
0
options
 
Monday, September 7, 2009

Pfizer fraud settlement and animal health

A record health care fraud settlement involving drugmaker Pfizer topped business headlines last week. 

The $2.3 billion settlement resolved lawsuits by federal and state prosecutors that the drug company engaged in improper marketing for numerous prescription drugs and kickbacks to promote drugs.

Pennsylvania received $14 million as part of the settlement. According to state Attorney General Tom Corbett off-label marketing involves promoting a drug for uses that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Corbett explained while it is not illegal for a physician to prescribe a drug for an unapproved use, federal law prohibits a manufacturer from promoting a drug for uses not approved by the FDA.

Pet owners may be aware that Pfizer is a major manufacturer of animal medications. Terrierman blog (which has a lot to say about prescription drugs for pets) raises questions about Pfizer's promotion of its animal drugs, particularly Rimadyl, a widely prescribed anti-inflammatory for arthritis and other conditions in dogs:

Pfizer's single biggest fraud (for which they paid $1.8 billion, of which $1.3 billion was a criminal fine) was for off-label marketing of the Cox-2 anti-inflammatory drug Bextra.

The veterinary analog to Bextra is another Cox-2 anti-inflammatory called Carprofen, which is not FDA approved for use in humans.

Pfizer markets Carprofen under the brand name Rimadyl, and charges a pretty penny for it even though no Cox-2 drug has ever been proven to be better than Aspirin or Ibuprofen for alleviating pain.

Veterinarians sell the drug at a big profit (more than 100 percent markup) and also create client dependency as folks have to come back in those cases where a recurring condition (like limber tail) might arise. The drug company makes a lot money, the veterinarian makes a lot of money, and you, the customer, are out of money.
 

 

 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 9:24 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Comments   


0 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
Advertise Here