More Fraud Settlements for Pharmaceutical Companies Likely

In April of 2011, drug giant Johnson & Johnson was forced to pay $70 million to US prosecutors after being charged with overseas bribery, and now it looks like more big-name companies will be paying up soon. When Johnson & Johnson settled with the Justice Department last year, they agreed to pay lesser penalties in exchange for cooperating with prosecutors and helping point a finger at other industry members engaged in similar dishonest practices, including bribing foreign doctors to use their medical devices and medications.

Now, the Financial Times reports, it appears that Pfizer is close to reaching a deal with the Department of Justice regarding "potentially improper payments" outside the US, and probes into companies like Merck, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and others are well underway. While drug companies are at the forefront of developing new treatments for disease, they are also for-profit companies that sometimes promote their product over all others, regardless of whether the products have been properly tested or appropriately indicated for specific ailments.

If you have been injured by a defective drug, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical care and injuries or illnesses. Working with an experienced dangerous drug lawyer is the best way to ensure you receive the settlement you need to recover from your injuries. Contact a drug defect attorney from Arnold & Itkin today for a free consultation. In most cases, you don't pay a penny until your case is successfully settled!