Johnson & Johnson Agrees to $2.2 Billion Settlement Over Risperdal

According to the New York Times, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion in criminal and civil fines to settle accusations that it improperly promoted the antipsychotic drug, Risperdal, to older adults, children and people with developmental disabilities.

The Times reported that the agreement is the third-largest drug settlement in U.S. history, and the largest involving the marketing of an antipsychotic and anti-seizure drug to older dementia patients. The paper reported that the federal government has been in ongoing negotiations with pharmaceutical companies over illegally marketing antipsychotic drugs for nearly a decade.

The settlement will require the approval of a federal judge.  Eric H. Holder Jr., the United States attorney general, said in a statement that Johnson & Johnson’s practices “recklessly put at risk the health of some of the most vulnerable members of our society — including young children, the elderly and the disabled.”

According to the Times, through the settlement, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal misdemeanor and acknowledged that it improperly marketed Risperdal to older adults for unapproved uses. The settlement will resolve actions brought on by 45 states.

Risperdal has been linked to skin complications, hyperprolactinaemia and weight gain.

Our attorneys represent victims of dangerous medical devices and drugs like Risperdal. For more information about this or other defective medical drugs or devices, contact our experienced pharmaceutical drug and device attorneys by calling toll-free (888) 841-9623
today.

Zoll, Kranz & Borgess, LLC – Dangerous Medical Drug Attorneys