Represented one of six whistleblowers in $2.3 billion global False Claims Act settlement against Pfizer for unlawful drug marketing and kickbacks
Plaintiff(s):
U.S. ex rel. DeMott
Case type / claims:
Whistleblower action under the False Claims Act alleging that Pfizer and its subsidiaries engaged in off-label promotion, unlawful payments to health care providers (kickbacks), and submission of false claims to federal and state health care programs (Medicare/Medicaid). The misconduct included promoting drugs such as Bextra, Geodon, Zyvox, and Lyrica for unapproved uses, and paying speaker fees, grants and other inducements to physicians to drive sales.
Defendant(s):
Pfizer Inc.
Jurisdiction:
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Year:
2009
Outcome:
- Pfizer paid a combined $2.3 billion — the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history at the time.
