Has a Depakote Lawsuit Been Filed by the Justice Department?
Updating a blog post we brought you recently, the United States has filed a complaint against Omnicare Inc. alleging that it solicited and received millions of dollars in kickbacks from Abbott Laboratories to promote the anti-epilepsy drug Depakote.
The healthcare company is the country’s largest provider of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy consulting services to nursing homes, according to the Justice Department.
The lawsuit alleges that the company received kickbacks from Abbott in exchange for purchasing and recommending Depakote to control behavioral disturbances exhibited by dementia patients residing in nursing homes.
It goes on to say Omnicare pharmacists were allowed to review patient charts and make recommendations about which drugs should be prescribed to patients.
This lawsuit is truly shocking. Depakote has been linked to side effects like migraine headaches, hives, fever, swollen glands, mouth sores and respiratory problems. These side effects could all lead to serious injuries in elderly patients.
As we reported earlier this month, the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs on patients at nursing homes is known as “chemical restraint.” Shockingly, a study in 2011 found that “88 percent of Medicare claims for antipsychotics prescribed in nursing homes were for treating symptoms of dementia, even though the drugs aren’t approved for that.”
Should I Speak to an Attorney About Depakote?
If your loved one is a nursing home resident who has experienced the side effects of Depakote, contact the attorneys of Zoll & Kranz, LLC. Also, if you have not read about the dangers of taking Depakote while pregnant please visit our page and contact us with any questions.
Our firm investigates potential claims for people who have been injured or killed by defective drugs. We may be able to investigate your case. We will continue to update this story as more news becomes available.
Zoll & Kranz, LLC – Defective Medical Drug and Device Lawyers