Corporate Crime

The Largest Healthcare Fraud Settlement in History

Despite the obstruction. Despite the stonewalling of judicial appointments and an election year witch hunt, the Department of Justice is still doing its job.

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to pay a $3 billion settlement and plead guilty to charges of illegally marketing depression drugs to children.

Pharmaceutical drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will pay $3 billion and plead guilty to federal charges to resolve a slew of criminal and civil issues stemming from its use of kickbacks, mis-branding and other misconduct to market drugs such as Paxil, Wellbutrin and Advair, the U.S. government announced.

The agreement is the largest healthcare fraud settlement in history, spanning nearly every state, according to the Justice Department. It’s also the largest payment ever by a drug company. [...]

The British company illegally marketed depression drug Paxil to children and teens, even sponsoring dinners and spa programs in the drug’s name, prosecutors said.

Glaxo also used sham advisory boards and speakers at lavish resorts to promote depression drug Wellbutrin as an option for weight loss and a remedy for sexual dysfunction and substance addiction, according to the government. Customers were urged to use higher-than-approved dosages, the government said.

Not coincidentally, the largest Medicare fraud bust in history also occurred under this administration earlier this year.

No word on whether or not someone in the GOP will apologize to GlaxoSmithKline for a "shakedown."