Corporate Whistleblower Center Points to Recent Drug Settlement for Off-Labeling as Lucrative Way For Pharma Reps to Retire Early

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America's Watchdog 6

Oct 23, 2013, 03:00 ET


(PRWEB) October 23, 2013 -- The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, "The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits pharmaceutical companies from marketing drugs for uses other than their intended purposes. The practice of promoting a drug for unapproved use is commonly known as off-labeling. Companies who participate in off-labeling by encouraging sales reps to promote the drugs for non-intended purposes are subject to criminal fines." http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.com

Fines for violating FDA rules are massive. According to the Department of Justice, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals recently agreed to pay $490.9 million to settle allegations that it illegally marketed Rapamune, a drug approved for use only in kidney transplant patients. The suit alleged that Wyeth encouraged sales reps to promote the use of Rapamune off-label and provided financial incentives to sales reps who marketed Rapamune to all transplant patients rather than just kidney transplant patients. This suit was brought forward by former Rapamune sales reps, who received a portion of the $490.9 million settlement as a reward.

The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, "In addition to off-labeling prescription drug marketing schemes, we are also extremely interested in pharmaceutical companies involved in any kind of kickback schemes to medical doctors including speaking fees. Potential whistleblowers with substantial proof of this type of illegal activity, Medicare fraud, or kickbacks can call us anytime at 866-714-6466 for more information about rewards." http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com

Simple rules for a whistleblower from the Corporate Whistleblower Center:

  • Do not go to the government first if you are a major whistleblower. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Major whistleblowers frequently go to the federal government thinking they will help. It’s a huge mistake.”
  • Do not go to the news media with your whistleblower information. Public revelation of a whistleblower’s information could destroy any prospect for a reward.
  • Do not try to force a government contractor, or corporation to come clean to the government about their wrongdoing. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Fraud is so rampant among federal contractors that any suggestion of exposure might result in an instant job termination, or harassment of the whistleblower. Come to us first, tell us what type of information you have, and if we think it’s sufficient, we will help find the right law firms to assist in advancing your information.”
  • The Corporate Whistleblower Center wants to emphasize there are high quality whistleblowers in every state including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Any type of insider or employee who possesses significant proof of their employer or a government contractor defrauding the federal government is encouraged to contact to Corporate Whistleblower Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or via their web site at http://CorporateWhistleBlowerCenter.Com

For attribution purposes please refer to the July 30th 2013 Justice Department press release: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/July/13-civ-860.html

Case Number: The civil lawsuits are captioned United States ex rel. Sandler et al v. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. 05-6609 (E.D. Pa.) and United States ex rel. Campbell v. Wyeth, Inc., Case No. 07-00051 (W.D. Okla.).

M Thomas Martin, America's Watchdog 6, http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com, +1 (866) 714-6466, [email protected]