A False Claims Act suit alleges Novartis paid kickbacks to doctors to boost prescriptions of its MS drug Gilenya.
NYC Today
A whistleblower can move forward with a False Claims Act lawsuit against Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. The suit alleges Novartis paid kickbacks to physicians to increase prescriptions of Gilenya, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis. A New York federal district court judge ruled the whistleblower, Steven Camburn, adequately alleged Novartis knowingly submitted kickback-tainted claims to Medicare, including claims that Novartis paid doctors for speaking at events with no legitimate attendees.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about pharmaceutical companies potentially using kickbacks and other improper incentives to drive up drug sales, which can lead to higher costs for government healthcare programs like Medicare. The False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the government and receive a portion of any recovered funds.
The lawsuit alleges Novartis paid physicians to speak at events that had no real attendees, in order to boost prescriptions of Gilenya. The judge ruled the whistleblower, Steven Camburn, adequately alleged Novartis knowingly submitted kickback-tainted claims to Medicare. The case will now move forward to discovery, pretrial motions, and a potential trial.
A major pharmaceutical company accused of paying kickbacks...
A False Claims Act suit alleges Novartis paid kickbacks to doctors to boost prescriptions of its MS drug Gilenya. NYC Today A whistleblower can move forward with a False Claims Act lawsuit against ...