U.S. Goverment v InterMune, Inc.
Intermune to Pay $37 Million for Promotion of Actimmune Drug
InterMune Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based out of California, has agreed to pay the government $36.9 million to resolve criminal charges and civil liabilities in connection with allegations of illegally promoting Actimmune for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or lung scarring, despite not receiving approval for such treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Legal documents state that InterMune's drug Actimmune was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease and severe, malignant osteopetrosis. However, from August 2002 until at least January 2003, the government alleges that InterMune promoted Actimmune for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, for which it was not approved. The government claims that between August 2002 and January 2003, the vast majority of Actimmune sales were for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Attorneys for the government affirm that InterMune's sales force was encouraged to tell doctors that the drug demonstrated a survival benefit for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
According to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, InterMune will pay the government a total of $36.9 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act. It will pay $30.2 million plus interest for costs to Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's Administration, Defense Department and federal employees' health benefit programs, and $6.6 million to state Medicaid programs.
If you or a loved one took Actimmune for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, one of our lawyers may be able to assist you. Please call 1-866-467-1400 to speak with one of our lawyers , or click on the link on this page to make a claim.
